GHG emissions offset of a combined-cycle natural gas-fired thermopower plant in Northeastern Brazil

Abstract

Anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have caused unprecedented climate change. Both mitigation and adaptation actions have thus become crucial. The combustion of fossil fuels is the leading cause of GHG emissions. Within this context, this work explores several options to offset GHG emissions from a combined-cycle natural gas-fired thermopower plant by 2050. Termopernambuco, in Northeastern Brazil, provides a case study that can be used as a reference for other projects. Therefore, after making an inventory and designing a scenario up to 2050 of its GHG emissions, mitigation actions and offset options are assessed, including a photovoltaic system, fuel mix options, a CO2 capture and storage (CCS) facility, and livestock-forest integration systems. Such measures are individually evaluated and bundled in five scenarios. Overall results indicate a wide range of offset costs, with livestock-forest integration systems at the lowest end with 37 USD/tCO2e up to a level of 180 USD/tCO2e for CCS.

Keywords

• climate change
• greenhouse gases
• mitigation
• offset
• thermopower plant
• natural gas