Life-cycle fossil energy consumption and greenhouse gas emission intensity of dominant secondary energy pathways of China in 2010

Life-cycle fossil primary energy consumption (FPEC) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission intensity of nine types of dominant secondary energy (SE) pathways for China in 2010 are calculated with iterative methods, using the TLCAM (Tsinghua Life-cycle Analysis Model). Three major types of GHG (CO2, CH4 and N2O) are considered for GHG emission intensity, and non-combustion CH4 leakage during the feedstock production sub-stage is included. We found the following. (1) Life-cycle FPEC intensities in units of per MJ SE are obtained and used, in order of magnitude, for: raw coal (recovered only); raw natural gas (NG, recovered and processed only); raw oil (recovered and processed); final coal (finally transported to end-user); final NG (finally transported to end-user); diesel; gasoline; residual oil and electricity. (2) Although their upstream GHG emission intensities are small, their life-cycle intensities are 103.5, 68.3, 81.6, 99.3, 70.0, 101.6, 91.7, 93.5 and 226.4 g CO2,e/MJ SE, respectively, when direct GHG emissions are included. (3) Life-cycle intensities of both FPEC and GHG emissions for SE in China are higher than those in some other countries, because of the relatively low overall efficiency and high percentage of coal in the national energy mix.

► We calculate life-cycle energy use and GHG intensity of dominant secondary energy in China.
► Life-cycle GHG emission intensities are high and upstream intensities are low.
► The life-cycle energy and GHG intensities in China are higher than average in world.