Small-scale distributed thermal power generation

Hydro-Québec mandated CIRAIG’s International Life Cycle Chair to analyze and compare the environmental profile of different small-scale distributed thermal power generation options, using LCA methodology.

Five distributed thermal power generation systems—two geothermal systems and three solar thermal systems—were compared to a heating system supplied by Hydro-Québec’s grid.

Results

For the thermal power needs of an average-sized household:

  • Solar thermal systems offer no environmental advantages over the heating system supplied by Hydro-Québec’s grid. As for the glazed solar air collector, although its environmental performance is high, its limited ability to meet the heating needs of an average-sized household make it a less interesting option.
  • The potential environmental performance of geothermal systems is superior to that of the other systems given that geothermal systems can meet over 80% of a household’s heating needs.
https://www.hydroquebec.com/data/developpement-durable/pdf/ACV-filieres-energie-thermique-sommaire.pdf

In collaboration with

Similar projects

Open source Input-Output LCA model and tool to estimate life cycle impacts of products and services

Biomass energy, or bioenergy, is energy produced from renewable biomass, for which the assessment of environmental impacts through life cycle assessment (LCA) presents a number of challenges, in particular methodological ones. The general objectives of this study are to analyze current practices for carrying out LCAs of biomass energy, and to provide recommendations on current and future best practices.

Food choices have a significant climate impact, which can be unknown to the public. The CIRAIG, commissioned by Polytechnique Montréal, has been tasked with calculating the climate-warming impact of the menus offered by the cafeteria, aiming to enable students to understand the impact of their meals and change their eating habits to reduce it.

Subscribe to our newsletter !