Integrated Spatiotemporal Life Cycle Assessment Framework for Hydroelectric Power Generation in Brazil
This study proposes and empirically validates a spatiotemporal life cycle assessment (LCA) framework for hydroelectric power generation applied to the Sinop Hydroelectric Power Plant in Brazil. Unlike conventional LCA, which assumes spatial and temporal homogeneity, the framework incorporates annual temporal discretisation and geographically differentiated impacts across all phases of assessment. The methodology combines the Enhanced Structural Path Analysis (ESPA) method with temporal modeling and region-specific inventory data. The results indicate that environmental impacts peak in the fourth year of the ‘Construction and Assembly’ stage, primarily due to the intensive production of concrete and steel. A spatial analysis shows that these impacts extend beyond Brazil, with notable contributions from international supply chains. By identifying temporal and geographical hotspots, the framework offers a refined understanding of impact dynamics and drivers. Uncertainty analysis further demonstrates that temporal discretisation significantly affects impact attribution, with the ‘Construction and Assembly’ stage results varying by up to ±15%, depending on scheduling assumptions. Overall, the study advances the LCA methodology while offering robust empirical evidence to guide sustainable decision-making in Brazil’s power sector and to inform global debates on low-carbon energy transitions.
Competitive Behavior of Hydroelectric Power Plants under Uncertainty in Spot Market
Competitive Behavior of Hydroelectric Power Plants under Uncertainty in Spot Market Energies, 2022 This article aims to analyze agents’ behavior in a competitive hydrothermal energy market. The idea is to investigate how much the day-to-day behavior of the market can be different from the predictions presented by cost-based models because of the risk perception of […]
Reliability Metrics for Generation Planning and the Role of Regulation in the Energy Transition: Case Studies of Brazil and Mexico
Reliability Metrics for Generation Planning and the Role of Regulation in the Energy Transition: Case Studies of Brazil and Mexico Energies, 2021 In recent years electricity sectors worldwide have undergone major transformations, referred to as the “energy transition”. This has required energy planning to quickly adapt to provide useful inputs to the regulation activity so […]
