Uncertainty and variability in accounting for grid electricity in life cycle assessment

The generation and distribution of electric power is enormously important in both economic and environmental terms. However, despite the obvious importance of electricity for life cycle assessment and policy analysis, accounting for the environmental emissions associated with electricity remains an uncertain task. In this analysis we examine the different methods available for electricity greenhouse gas emissions accounting, and show that different standards, protocols, and reporting organizations can lead to considerably different estimates of emissions associated with purchased electricity. We discuss the implications of this uncertainty and list recommendations for electricity emissions accounting in the world of incomplete and uncertain information.