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@article{Mac:2016:10.1039/C6EE01120A,
author = {Mac, Dowell N and Shah, N and Staffell, I and Heuberger, C},
doi = {10.1039/C6EE01120A},
journal = {Energy & Environmental Science},
pages = {2497--2510},
title = {Quantifying the Value of CCS for the Future ElectricitySystem},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C6EE01120A},
volume = {9},
year = {2016}
}
TY - JOUR
AB - Many studies have quantified the cost of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) power plants, butrelatively few discuss or appreciate the unique value this technology provides to the electricity system.CCS is routinely identified as a key factor in least-cost transitions to a low-carbon electricitysystem in 2050, one with significant value by providing dispatchable and low-carbon electricity.This paper investigates production, demand and stability characteristics of the current and futureelectricity system. We analyse the Carbon Intensity (CI) of electricity systems composed of unabatedthermal (coal and gas), abated (CCS), and wind power plants for different levels of windavailability with a view to quantifying the value to the system of different generation mixes. As athought experiment we consider the supply side of a UK-sized electricity system and compare theeffect of combining wind and CCS capacity with unabated thermal power plants. The resultingcapacity mix, system cost and CI are used to highlight the importance of differentiating betweenintermittent and firm low-carbon power generators. We observe that, in the absence of energystorage or demand side management, the deployment of intermittent renewable capacity cannotsignificantly displace unabated thermal power, and consequently can achieve only moderatereductions in overall CI. A system deploying sufficient wind capacity to meet peak demand canreduce CI from 0.78 tCO2/MWh, a level according to unabated fossil power generation, to 0.38tCO2/MWh. The deployment of CCS power plants displaces unabated thermal plants, and whilstit is more costly than unabated thermal plus wind, this system can achieve an overall CI of 0.1tCO2/MWh. The need to evaluate CCS using a systemic perspective in order to appreciate itsunique value is a core conclusion of this study.
AU - Mac,Dowell N
AU - Shah,N
AU - Staffell,I
AU - Heuberger,C
DO - 10.1039/C6EE01120A
EP - 2510
PY - 2016///
SN - 1754-5706
SP - 2497
TI - Quantifying the Value of CCS for the Future ElectricitySystem
T2 - Energy & Environmental Science
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C6EE01120A
UR - http://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/34750
VL - 9
ER -
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