Labeling of green energy with the help of LCA key parameter models

Labeling of green energy with the help of LCA key parameter models Niels Jungbluth, Rolf Frischknecht, Sybille Büsser ESU-services Ltd., Uster, Switzerland E S U SETAC Europe 15th LCA Case Studies Symposium Paris, 23. January, 2009

Liberalization of the electric power market Basic questions as seen by environmentally aware customers: May I trust green power? What kind of electric power is contained in green power and where from does it come? What s the cost of good green power? Page 2 163, Version 1.2, SV, 15.2.2001

What the consumer wants Page 3 A standard product A simple product A trustworthy product Transparency Reliability... A strong and credible quality label is necessary for safeguarding the quality

The solution: naturemade Label introduced in 2000 Certification for both - production plants and - energy products Two stage quality label for ecologically produced power (star) and for power from renewable sources (basic) How can LCA contribute to this kind of question? Page 4

naturemade star Criteria Plant owner Certifier Local Criteria: Examination of plant-specific, local criteria local critera fulfilled? Yes Public No Global Criterion (LCA): Data input: Plant parameters Ecoindicator 99 Points (H) global criteron fulfilled? Yes LCI data & impact assessment methods No Page 5

LCA background data The labelled system renewable energy ressource key parameter energy system electricity heat biomethane non-energy products (compost, disposal, etc.) conversion system cooling heat distribution Page 6 threshold limit 50% natural gas combined cycle threshold limit 50% R134a compressor threshold limit 50% cond. gas heating threshold limit 50% natural gas reference value 100% reference system

Global Criterion One threshold for all renewable energy resources Identification of key parameters based on detailed LCA per type of power plant Modelling key parameter based LCA in Excel for self-declaration by the power plant owner Impact assessment with Eco-indicator 99 (H/A) Page 7

Global criterion Threshold limit for all energy products (50% of a conventional system with natural gas) Reference value for all by-products with 100% of alternative system Environmental impacts of the system are lower than the sum of threshold limits and reference values (test value) Page 8

Threshold limits Electricity: 50% natural gas steam and power plant Heat: 50% of modern gas heating Biomethane: 50% natural gas plus CO 2 -emissions Cooling: to be discussed in detail Page 9

Page 10 Key parameter model naturemade Star Prüfung: Energieprodukte aus Biogasanlagen Eingabe: Deutsch Anlagenname und Referenzzeitraum ARA 2007 Anlagentyp und Fermentergrösse Kläranlage 400 m3 Inputs Finanzieller Ertrag (plus) bzw. Aufwand (minus) für die Anlage Landwirtschaft, Umrechnung aus Tierbestand auf Extrablatt 124 t FM Substrate für die Anlage (Eingabe auf Extra Blatt) 25'348 t FM 251'020 CHF -10'000 CHF Klärschlamm und andere Substrate die verbrannt werden müssen 239'875 t FM 0 CHF 0 CHF Gesamtinputmenge für Anlage 265'347 t FM 241'020 CHF Energieeigenverbrauch der Anlage (Systemgrenzen beachten) 3'449'300 kwh Netzstromverbrauch für die Anlage 3'449'300 kwh Heizölverbrauch der Anlage 0 kwh Zündölverbrauch (10 kwh/kg) 0 kwh Dieselverbrauch (12 kwh/kg) 0 kwh Erdgasverbrauch für Anlage 0 kwh Outputs Gesamtproduktion Biogas pro Jahr, Brutto (10 kwh/m3) 30'000'000 kwh 3'000'000 m3 Biogas Verluste und Abblasen 0 kwh Biomethan in Erdgasqualität, verkauft 12'000'000 kwh Typ BHKW Biogas verbrannt in Fackel, Heizung, BHKW Magermotor 18'000'000 kwh Total Biogasproduktion, Brutto 30'000'000 kwh Stromproduktion: Verkauf und Eigennutzung ausserhalb der Anlage 5'090'106 kwh Fernwärmeproduktion: Verkauf, Verteilverluste 305'100 kwh 5% Wärmeproduktion: Verkauf, Eigennutzung ausserhalb der Anlage 0 kwh Wärmeverkauf, total 305'100 kwh Behandlung, Gärgut, fest Entwässerung, Faulschlamm 279'511 t FM Behandlung, Gärgut, flüssig Offenes Gärgutlager/Nachgärung 0 t FM Einfache Distanz Anlage - Ausbringung/Entsorgung 508'080 tkm Verwendung feste Gärrückstände Verbrennung, Zementwerk 100% 25'404 t FM -100 CHF 20 km Verwendung flüssige Gärrückstände Landwirtschaft, Schleppschlauch 0% 0 t FM 0 CHF 4 km 25'404 t FM -100 CHF Resultate: ARA 2007 0 EI'99-aggregated, Hierarchist 4.49E+05 4.69E+05 96% Globales naturemade Star Kriterium erfüllt

500'000 Result declaration 450'000 Eco-indicator 99 (H,A) points per year 400'000 Total impacts lower than test value global criterion fullfilled 350'000 300'000 250'000 200'000 150'000 100'000 50'000 - Page 11 sewage biogas plant test value Reference direct Emissions Reference sludge Reference Compost Reference storage reference disposal Threshold Methane Threshold heat threshold Strom digestate storage and disposal Combustion, Distribution Transports direct Emissions Substrate energy use Infrastructure

Actual status of electricity certification naturemade star 700'000 Status 30.06.2006 600'000 500'000 MWh 400'000 300'000 200'000 100'000 0 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Page 12 Certified MWh production Certified MWh supply Sales figures (AEE)

Conclusions Key parameter models are a valuable tool for an efficient plant specific evaluation and comparison of different technologies The same model will be used for electricity, heat, biomethane and cooling Local criteria are indispensable to support the labelling and ensure environmental quality of labelled energy Page 13

More information http:///cms/index.php?id=naturemade www.naturemade.org Page 14

Annexe Niels Jungbluth, Rolf Frischknecht, Sybille Büsser ESU-services Ltd., Uster, Switzerland E S U

Detailed LCA for wood-fired power plants Detailed inventory for three Swiss plants Cradle to grave (from forestry to disposal of ashes) Assessment with Eco-indicator 99 (H/A) and other impact assessment methods Analysis of most important stages as entries to the inventory Page 16

Contribution of different stages expressed in eco-indicator 99 (H/A) CHP Waste wood with advanced waste gas purification CHP Wood with advanced waste gas purification CHP Wood with multi-cyclone -20% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100 % Wood production Emissions to air Materials and infrastructure Ash management Page 17

Impact Assessment One score impact assessment is necessary in order to compare result with a test value Shortcomings of Eco-indicator 99 are relevant for some systems, e.g. nutrients in compost from biogas plant Local criteria cover specific problems of new systems not considered in LCA (e.g. fish-ladders, visual impact of wind power, etc.) Page 20