Harmonization of initial estimates of shale gas life cycle greenhouse gas emissions for electric power generation
Authors:
Open Access
- 21 July 2014
- journal article
- research article
- Published by National Academy of Sciences in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
- Vol. 111 (31) , E3167-E3176
Abstract
Significance: Previously published life cycle assessments (LCAs) of greenhouse gas emissions from the production and use of shale gas have come to widely varying conclusions about both the magnitude of emissions and its comparison with conventionally produced natural gas and coal for electricity generation. We harmonize estimates from this literature to establish more consistently derived and robust summary of the current state of knowledge. Whereas median estimates for both gas types appear less than half that of coal, alternative assumptions may lead to emissions approaching best-performing coal units, with implications for climate change mitigation strategies.Keywords
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