Life Cycle Assessment and Regionalized Carbon Footprint Analysis of Hydropower Generation

Based on the method of life cycle assessment, this study evaluated the global warming (carbon footprint) and other environment impacts of hydropower, and analyzed the differences in the carbon footprint of hydropower in different regions. The results show that the global warming impact (carbon footprint) per unit of hydropower of the Three Gorges Hydropower Station is 12.7 g/(kW·h), which mainly originates from the operation stage. The main stage causing other environment impacts is the civil engineering stage, followed by the electro mechanical equipment manufacturing stage. The results of regional analysis show that the unit hydropower carbon in different provinces is quite different, and there are 24 provinces that differ from the national average by more than ±20%. The carbon footprint of each province during the operation stage accounted for 47.94%-96.82%, and 19 provinces during the operation stage accounted for more than 80%. The result can provide support for the adjustment and optimization of the power structure at national and provincial levels.