Assessment of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emission from Hydropower Reservoirs in Malaysia

Abstract

This paper presents a preliminary assessment of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from all major hydropower reservoirs in Malaysia from the period of 1930–2017. The GHG emissions are calculated based on the Tier 1 method as recommended in International Government Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines. The results showed that approximately 151.64 Gg of annual methane emission released from hydropower dams in Peninsular Malaysia. While in East Malaysia, hydropower dams release 235.7 Gg of methane emission annually. Bakun dam contributes the most 41.26% of total annual methane emission from hydropower dams in Malaysia. Ulu Jelai hydroelectric dam with design power capacity of 372 MW contributes the least CH4 emission of 0.02 Gg CH4 yr−1. It is seen that high head hydroelectric dam with small reservoir surface area is the most sustainable hydropower dam in reducing the GHG emission. However, long-term measurements must be made in order to clarify the net GHG emissions from reservoir surface, turbines, spillway and downstream river of hydropower dams in Malaysia.

Keywords

• Hydropower
• life cycle assessment
• renewable energy
• greenhouse gases
• tropical reservoir