Work

Review of Direct Measurement of Thermal Power Carbon Emissions: Technology Integration, Standard Alignment, and Practical Solutions for Carbon Neutrality Goals

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Global efforts to achieve carbon neutrality have highlighted the critical need for accurate carbon emissions accounting in the thermal power industry, which is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Standardized and high-precision direct measurement methods are essential to support emissions reduction strategies and carbon trading systems. Accurately measuring thermal power carbon emissions is key to “carbon peaking and carbon neutrality (dual carbon)” goals. The direct measurement method, via real-time monitoring of flue gas flow and CO2 concentration, provides high-precision data and is an important industrial direction. This paper reviews its key technologies, compares technical adaptability, anti-interference, and cost-effectiveness, sorts out domestic and international standards, and analyzes core challenges (25~50% errors from complex flow fields, environmental interference, traceability issues, high costs, and standard-engineering gaps). It forecasts future directions (flow field rectification, optical tech localization, and digital twins). The results guide enterprises to optimize monitoring, reduce carbon trading data errors, support standard formulation, and help small-medium plants promote direct measurement, accelerating the carbon neutrality process of the thermal power industry.

Source: Environments

DOI: 10.3390/environments12120457

Authors: Jingyu Lei, Yong Wu, Feng Chen, Zilong Liu, Xingchuang Xiong, Xiaoping Song

Institutions: National Institute of Metrology, State Administration for Market Regulation

Language: English

Topic: Flow Measurement and Analysis

Subfield: Mechanics of Materials

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,172