Abstract:
Electricity is one of the vital factors in today’s world. The transmission and
distributions systems are helped to carry out the electricity from one place to another
place. And, the electricity poles and electric cables are major components of the system.
Furthermore, the production of these poles and electric cables can be caused significant
environmental impacts. Hence, this study was attempted to understand the
environmental impact of electricity poles and electric cables with the help of Carbon
Footprint Analysis. Therefore, as first step, the Carbon Footprint of Product (CFPs) of
a pre-stressed concrete electricity pole, a wooden electricity pole, and Low Voltage
(LV) electric cable has been calculated and further, Carbon Footprint (CF) based on the
raw materials (RM), the finished good transportation and the manufacturing stages were
calculated. Furthermore, following the methodological approaches given in GHG
protocol, ISO 14067:2018, and PAS:2050 standards and guidelines to analyze CFP.
Furthermore, data were analyzed using excel calculations such as SUM,
MULTIPLICATION, and correlation analysis with Minitab 17 software. As results, the
CFPs of a pre-stressed pole was calculated as 234.51kgCO2e/one pole (0.23tCO2e/one
pole), a wooden pole as 258.669kgCO2e/one pole (0.26tCO2e/one pole) and 1km LV
electric cable as 19008.11kgCO2e/1km LV electric cable (19.01tCO2e/1km LV electric
cable). As well, Manufacturing stage of a pre-stressed concrete pole has been identified
as larger contributor of GHG emission of 226.39kgCO2e/one pole (0.23tCO2e/one
pole), and a wooden pole has contributed to larger GHG emission of 12.77kgCO2e/one
pole (0.01tCO2e/one pole) from RM transportation stage. Eventually, when comparing
pre-stressed concrete poles and wooden poles within 1km transmission of electricity,
pre-stressed poles have been noted as more sustainable to install within 1km
transmission of electricity line. Because CFP of pre-stressed concrete poles within 1km
transmission of electricity was 4.69tCO2e and CFP of wooden poles within 1km
transmission of electricity was 6.47tCO2e. Eventually, eco-efficient materials and types
of machinery have been recommended to reduce the CFP of pre-stressed concrete poles
without any comparison. Furthermore, the continuation of Life Cycle Assessment for
evaluating all multiple impacts rather climate impact has been suggested by the
researcher as the future research direction
