Life Cycle Climate Change Impact of a Cost-Optimal HVDC Connection to Import Solar Energy from Australia to Singapore

This paper aims to evaluate the life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of importing electrical power into Singapore, generated from a large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Australia, through long-distance subsea high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cable. A cost optimization model was developed estimate capacities system components. comprehensive assessment built manufacturing and use these Our evaluation shows that, for covering one fifth Singapore’s energy needs, with an installed capacity 13GWPV, 17 GWh battery storage 3.2GW cable is required. The GHG such are estimated be 110gCO2eq/kWh, majority coming PV panels. Cable does not contribute largely toward emissions. By varying full-load hours lengths, it assessed that sites closer Singapore might provide same at same/lower carbon footprint reduced cost, despite lower insolation as compared Australia. However, could cause greater land changes than deserts offsetting advantages shorter HVDC