A methodology for assessing MIT's energy used and greenhouse gas emissions
Author(s)
Groode, Tiffany Amber, 1979-
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Alternative title
A methodology for assessing Massachusetts Institute of Technology's energy used and greenhouse gas emissions
Other Contributors
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Mechanical Engineering.
Advisor
John Heywood.
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(cont.) actions can be made to decrease losses and therefore increase plant efficiencies. As production efficiencies are maximized, fuel use and thus emissions are minimized. From fiscal year 1998 to 2003, the gas turbine efficiency, based on the higher heating value, remained approximately constant at 24%. The heat recovery steam generator effectiveness has decreased 11% from 42.1% to 37.4%. It has been shown that the decrease in the heat recovery steam generator's performance can be attributed to fouling effects on the heat transfer surfaces between the hot exhaust gasses and the water stream. An accurate inventory of MIT's greenhouse gas emissions is a necessary first step in reducing these emissions. This assessment identifies areas with the greatest potential for reducing utility related emissions. This inventory will also allow MIT to continue to evaluate its greenhouse gas emission trends and thus contribute to the emission reduction target the city of Cambridge has created. This MIT campus emission assessment has been done in response to the City of Cambridge Climate Protection Plan, which is calling for a 20% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by the year 2010. This greenhouse gas inventory includes all emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide due to utility use from fiscal year 1990 to 2003 and estimates of transportation and solid waste emissions. It accounts for utilities purchased and utilities produced from the MIT Cogeneration Power Plant. A methodology has been developed to allocate the MIT utility plant addition, the assessment includes carbon dioxide emissions due to the MIT commuting population from fiscal year 1999 to 2003, and accounts for equivalent carbon dioxide emissions from solid waste incineration from fiscal year 2000 to 2003. The 20% reduction target from 1990 emission levels sets a cap on campus emissions of 163,830 equivalent metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. At current levels, a 22% decrease in emissions would be required to achieve this target. Emissions released from utility use account for 90% of the campus emissions, with 9.5% attributed to commuters, and 0.5% emissions based on produced electricity, steam, and chilled water. This allows facilities to develop programs that will directly impact the source of highest emissions. In due to campus solid waste. Therefore, reducing the amount of emissions caused by utility production and purchasing would have the largest effect on reducing the total campus greenhouse gas emissions. A thermodynamic availability flow analysis has also been conducted on the gas turbine and heat recovery steam generator system of the MIT cogeneration power plan. Availability losses within the system were targeted and appropriate
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 131). Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2004.
Date issued
2004Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical EngineeringPublisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Keywords
Mechanical Engineering.