Influence of power generation structure on carbon emission factor of high-speed railway in operation period

doi:10.12006/j.issn.1673-1719.2024.093

Abstract

Abstract:

The direct carbon dioxide emissions generated during the operation phase of high-speed railway transportation are minimal. However, the carbon emissions from electricity generation, required to power the trains, cannot be overlooked. This paper comprehensively considers the power generation structure and the carbon emissions levels of different power generation methods. It uses the carbon emission factor during the operation phase of high-speed railway transportation as an assessment indicator of its environmental friendliness. The results indicate that in 2018 and 2019, the carbon emission factors during the operation phase of high-speed railway transportation in China were 27.19 and 27.09 g CO₂ per passenger-kilometer, respectively. High-speed railway transportation has more advantages in terms of low carbon than road and civil aviation. Besides, the high proportion of coal-fired power generation in China’s power structure results in higher carbon emission factors compared to developed countries such as France, Germany, and Japan. By combining predictions of China’s future power generation structure, when the carbon emission factors of each power generation mode remain unchanged, it is estimated that by 2030 and 2050, the carbon emission factors during the operation phase of high-speed railway transportation in China will be 10.87-14.18 and 2.83-9.49 g CO₂ per passenger-kilometer respectively, representing a reduction of 47.66%-59.87% and 64.97%-89.55% compared to 2019. Reducing coal-power carbon emission factor will synchronize with carbon diminution of high-speed railway. Promoting low-carbon production of coal-power and efficiently applying new technologies for clean production are expected to further enhance the low-carbon advantages of high-speed railway transportation. The research results promote the cooperation between transportation industry and energy industry, and boost the “dual carbon” goals.

Key words: High-speed railway transportation, Operation period, Carbon emission factor, Power generation structure

TONG Rui-Yong, WEI Run-Bin, WU Jin-Yan, MAO Bao-Hua, TIAN Pei-Ning. Influence of power generation structure on carbon emission factor of high-speed railway in operation period[J]. Climate Change Research, 2025, 21(1): 116-124.

Figures/Tables 6

Table 1 The proportion of power generation in 2018 and 2019 %

Table 2 Full life cycle carbon emission factors of each power generation g CO2 /(kW?h)

Table 3 Carbon emission factors of high-speed rail in different regions of the world

Fig. 1 Forecast of China’s future power generation structure[36?-38]

Table 4 Calculation results of carbon emission factors during high-speed rail operation period in future

Fig. 2 The impact of different carbon emission factors of coal-power

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