Green Energy and Its Impact on the Reduction in Carbon Footprint

IJEP 43(10): 936-946 : Vol. 43 Issue. 10 (October 2023)

Satabdi Chatterjee1, Indranil Mukherjee2*, Barun Mandal3 and Ayindrila Roy1

1. Techno International Newtown, Department of Electrical Engineering, New Town – 700 156, West Bengal, India
2. Aliah University, Department of Civil Engineering, New Town – 700 156, West Bengal, India
3. Kalyani Government Engineering College, Department of Electrical Engineering, Kalyani – 741 235, West Bengal, India

Abstract

Integration of carbon emissions from various daily activities is difficult. The overall carbon footprint value, after integration, shows the total carbon emission or macro-level consumption. Estimating one’s carbon footprint is crucial for determining how much greenhouse effect is contributing to global warming. There has not been much research done on carbon footprint estimates from utility-based generation for a hybrid system. This study was conducted considering the significance of carbon footprint estimates and their detrimental effects on the surrounding environment. It covers the above aspects for a micro-community in Rajarhat, Newtown. Here, an effort has been made to compare the carbon footprint values produced in a microgrid considering a standard tariff as well as with 30% and 100% green energy contribution, taking into account energy supply from conventional as well as non-conventional sources. A thorough output analysis has been used. The results show that the usage of conventional energy resources yields a carbon footprint of 49.8 tonnes person. However, this value reduces to 21.3 tonnes and 8.1 tonnes/person, respectively by using 30% and 100% green energy resources. The results suggest the use of biofuel in conjunction with non-conventional energy sources to reduce the overall carbon footprint output.

Keywords

Carbon footprint, Global warming, Microgrid, Biofuels, Greenhouse effect, Calculators, Emissions

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