I need to make a clear distinction between the grid carbon footprint and the grid carbon intensity.
In my own terms the 'grid carbon footprint' includes the entire life cycle of power plants, including the emission when producing electricity, in gCO2eq/kWh. In this case, the solar pv or wind turbine carbon footprints are not equal to zero.
In contrast, the 'grid carbon intensity' includes only the emission when producing electricity, in gCO2/kWh. In this case, the solar pv or wind tubine carbon intensities are equal to zero.
First, is this correct? It seems to fit with Wright's definition of carbon footprint in 'Carbon footprinting : towards a universally accepted definition'. However, I cannot find any clear definition of 'grid carbon intensity'. Do you know about any reference?
Hello Jacky
The only thing i have on that matter is the description that IEA gives where it says "The IEA Energy Sector Carbon Intensity Index (ESCII) tracks how many tonnes of CO2‚‚ are emitted for each unit of energy supplied."
Since it is talking about emissions, not mentioning life cycle analysis, your assumption seems to be correct. Find the link here http://www.iea.org/etp/tracking/esci/ . Hope that helps
Hello George, thank you for your answer. I will do with this definition for now.
Hi Jacky,
it is not easy to find such clear distinctive definition, therefore you should define it yourself, as you mentioned with and without LCA, and go further.
As George said, IEA is a good source of information, you will need to find two numbers there and divide them in order to calculate grid carbon intensity.
Good luck!
A further aspect to consider is the impact of energy losses in transmission and distribution. The Greenhouse Gas Protocol definition fo Scope 2 emissions includes only the emissions at the point of generation, whereas the impact of T&D losses falls into Scope 3. So, you need to be very clear about your boundaries.
For further information you can look at the WRI/WBCSD Greenhouse Gas Protocol or you could also look at DECC/Defra's Greenhouse Gas Conversion Factors methodology paper.
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