Environmental performance of power generation system in China based on LCA

In this study, LCA (life cycle assessment) is used as a tool for the assessment of energy consumption and associated impacts generated from utilization of energy in various power generation systems in China. The details follow the methodology outlined in ISO14040. The scope of this research includes energy production, energy transportation, and energy utilization. The function unit of life cycle inventory is 1 kJ electricity power. Most of the inventory data have been collected from Yearbook of China. Compared to fuel‐fired power generation system, hydropower and nuclear power are more environment‐friendly according to life cycle inventory analysis results, so increasing the proportion of hydropower and nuclear power in the power industry has a significant improvement effect on the development of China’s power industry. The life cycle environmental impact of integrated power generation level in 2010 will be 13.8% lower than in 1999 according to National energy policy of China.