Comparative Analysis of Life Cycle Carbon Emissions Between Copper and Aluminum Core Power Cables in Low-Voltage Distribution Networks
Accurate carbon footprint assessment of low-voltage distribution network components is critical for achieving carbon neutrality. This study conducts a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) of copper- core (YJV) and aluminum-core (YJLV) power cables, covering raw material extraction, manufacturing,...
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EDP Sciences
2025-01-01
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| Series: | E3S Web of Conferences |
| Online Access: | https://www.e3s-conferences.org/articles/e3sconf/pdf/2025/39/e3sconf_icemee2025_01022.pdf |
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| author | Yang Sirui Zhang Yanchi |
| author_facet | Yang Sirui Zhang Yanchi |
| author_sort | Yang Sirui |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Accurate carbon footprint assessment of low-voltage distribution network components is critical for achieving carbon neutrality. This study conducts a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) of copper- core (YJV) and aluminum-core (YJLV) power cables, covering raw material extraction, manufacturing, transportation, operation, and end-of-life stages. A quantitative LCA model is established to evaluate emissions under equivalent current-carrying capacity. A case study based on typical cable specifications shows that, due to aluminum’s higher carbon footprint factor compared to copper, aluminum-core cables have higher emissions during manufacturing. However, aluminum offers greater recycling potential, and increasing the share of recycled aluminum can significantly reduce its carbon footprint. Due to higher electrical resistance, aluminum-core cables also result in significantly higher operational emissions compared to copper- core cables. The findings reveal that conductor selection leads to distinct emission profiles across life-cycle stages and must be evaluated comprehensively, considering service life, power generation mix, and load characteristics. This study provides theoretical support and practical guidance for low-carbon cable selection and emission optimization in distribution networks. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-05fcfc0670a84b30a7e396c7ba9a951f |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2267-1242 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | EDP Sciences |
| record_format | Article |
| series | E3S Web of Conferences |
| spelling | doaj-art-05fcfc0670a84b30a7e396c7ba9a951f2025-08-20T03:12:46ZengEDP SciencesE3S Web of Conferences2267-12422025-01-016390102210.1051/e3sconf/202563901022e3sconf_icemee2025_01022Comparative Analysis of Life Cycle Carbon Emissions Between Copper and Aluminum Core Power Cables in Low-Voltage Distribution NetworksYang Sirui0Zhang Yanchi1School of Electrical Engineering, Shanghai DianJi UniversitySchool of Electrical Engineering, Shanghai DianJi UniversityAccurate carbon footprint assessment of low-voltage distribution network components is critical for achieving carbon neutrality. This study conducts a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) of copper- core (YJV) and aluminum-core (YJLV) power cables, covering raw material extraction, manufacturing, transportation, operation, and end-of-life stages. A quantitative LCA model is established to evaluate emissions under equivalent current-carrying capacity. A case study based on typical cable specifications shows that, due to aluminum’s higher carbon footprint factor compared to copper, aluminum-core cables have higher emissions during manufacturing. However, aluminum offers greater recycling potential, and increasing the share of recycled aluminum can significantly reduce its carbon footprint. Due to higher electrical resistance, aluminum-core cables also result in significantly higher operational emissions compared to copper- core cables. The findings reveal that conductor selection leads to distinct emission profiles across life-cycle stages and must be evaluated comprehensively, considering service life, power generation mix, and load characteristics. This study provides theoretical support and practical guidance for low-carbon cable selection and emission optimization in distribution networks.https://www.e3s-conferences.org/articles/e3sconf/pdf/2025/39/e3sconf_icemee2025_01022.pdf |
| spellingShingle | Yang Sirui Zhang Yanchi Comparative Analysis of Life Cycle Carbon Emissions Between Copper and Aluminum Core Power Cables in Low-Voltage Distribution Networks E3S Web of Conferences |
| title | Comparative Analysis of Life Cycle Carbon Emissions Between Copper and Aluminum Core Power Cables in Low-Voltage Distribution Networks |
| title_full | Comparative Analysis of Life Cycle Carbon Emissions Between Copper and Aluminum Core Power Cables in Low-Voltage Distribution Networks |
| title_fullStr | Comparative Analysis of Life Cycle Carbon Emissions Between Copper and Aluminum Core Power Cables in Low-Voltage Distribution Networks |
| title_full_unstemmed | Comparative Analysis of Life Cycle Carbon Emissions Between Copper and Aluminum Core Power Cables in Low-Voltage Distribution Networks |
| title_short | Comparative Analysis of Life Cycle Carbon Emissions Between Copper and Aluminum Core Power Cables in Low-Voltage Distribution Networks |
| title_sort | comparative analysis of life cycle carbon emissions between copper and aluminum core power cables in low voltage distribution networks |
| url | https://www.e3s-conferences.org/articles/e3sconf/pdf/2025/39/e3sconf_icemee2025_01022.pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT yangsirui comparativeanalysisoflifecyclecarbonemissionsbetweencopperandaluminumcorepowercablesinlowvoltagedistributionnetworks AT zhangyanchi comparativeanalysisoflifecyclecarbonemissionsbetweencopperandaluminumcorepowercablesinlowvoltagedistributionnetworks |