Life Cycle Assessment in energy sector

W pracy wykonano opis metodyki analizy cyklu życia LCA (Life Cycle Assessment), krótko opisano funkcjonowanie elektrowni opalanej gazem ziemnym oraz opalanej węglem brunatnym. Przeprowadzono analizę LCA produkcji energii elektrycznej Elektrociepłowni Zielona Góra S.A. oraz PGE Elektrowni Bełchatów S.A.While producing energy it is necessary to estimate the amount of required energetic resources, materials, emitted dust and solid wastes (ashes) generated in the course of production. It is also crucial to consider the distance energetic resources take while being transported from the place of extraction to a power station as well as means of transport used. There has been a substantial increase in requirements concerning the very manner of energy production and its impact on the environment. There has appeared a need for finding such a tool which would take into consideration many aspects of the issue. The paper presents the method for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), which is an effective tool helping provide a complex evaluation of particular manners of energy production. As an example fields of this method implementation the authors describe two Polish power plants: Zielona Góra S.A. and Bełchatów S.A Power Plants. The authors try to show that with use of the LCA analysis it is possible to decrease environmental loads not only at the stage of designing a particular product. With regard to conducting the assessment of all stages of the product, it is possible to make comparisons which clarify various kinds of risks emerging in the course of particular product production