Fuel and GHG Emission Reduction Potentials by Fuel Switching and Technology Improvement in the Iranian Electricity Generation Sector

In this paper, first methodology to calculate GHG emissions from electricity generation sector was explained. Then different scenarios to reduce GHG emissions by fuel switching and adoption of advanced power generation systems (still based on fossil fuels) were evaluated. The GHG calculation results for the Iranian power plants showed that in 2005 average GHG intensity for all thermal power plants was 610 gCO2eq/kWh. The average GHG intensity in electricity generation sector between 1995 and 2005 was experienced 13% reduction. The results demonstrated that there are great potentials for GHG emissions reduction in this industry. These potentials were evaluated by introducing six different scenarios. In the first scenario existing power stations’ fuel was switched to natural gas. Existing power plants were replaced by natural gas combined cycle (NGCC), solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), and hybrid SOFC in scenario number 2 to 4, respectively. In last two scenarios, CO2 capture systems were installed on the existing power plants and to the second scenario, respectively.