PRINCIPAIS ASPECTOS DA PEGADA HÍDRICA DE EMPREENDIMENTOS DE GERAÇÃO TERMELÉTRICA A GÁS NATURAL

Código

XXV-SBRH1143

Autores

Denise Ferreira de Matos, IGOR PINHEIRO RAUPP, Juliano Lucas Souza de Abreu, Alexandre Medeiros, João Gabriel Gonçalves de Lassio

Tema

24 - Planejamento e Gestão de Recursos Hídricos

Resumo

This study is part of a project aimed at proposing specific guidelines for conducting water footprint using the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology, focused on the needs of the Brazilian electricity sector. This article focuses on the water footprint of natural gas thermopower plants, highlighting its main aspects. Although natural gas thermopower plants aren?t the most significant water-consuming units for electricity generation, in Brazil, they are located in regions of a high density occupation and compete with other users for water resources. The country is vulnerable to prolonged droughts, especially in the Northeast and Southeast regions. Moreover, among the categories of environmental impact, the impact on water resources is one that cannot fail to be evaluated when it comes to significant engineering projects. The life cycle of natural gas thermoelectric generation was divided into two axes: the plant axis and the fuel axis. The plant axis presents four stages: raw material extraction (materials and equipment), construction, operation, and decommissioning. The fuel axis has three stages: fuel extraction and processing, transportation, and combustion. Criteria were defined for each stage, concerning two indicators: water consumption, and thermal pollution. As a result, we propose guidelines for water footprint studies of natural gas thermopower plants, highlighting the items that must be included in the inventory analysis and the life cycle stages that contribute the most to the water footprint. It allows for a perspective on the main differences between the two technologies.