Transmission and distribution of the final energy. LCA database on energy production in Finland - SEEP. Part VI

This report is a part of the documentation of the Finnish project LCA database on energy production in Finland (SEEP). The report is based on a Diploma Thesis which was done during the project (Vähävihu 1995). This report contains environmental life cycle data of electric power, heat and natural gas transmission and distribution networks in Finland. District heating networks are analyzed more closely than other heating networks. Data acquisition for the database was done with questionnaires of which the energy network part is reported here. Working groups containing representants from the most important central organisations gave their assistance to the project. Additional information was also obtained from equipment manufacturers by telephone and from literature. The electric power networks were studied mainly as a unity, only the most important parts were separated. In the natural gas network transmission and distribution were more clearly specified. The district heating network was treated as a one unit. Relatively long transmission distances characterize electric power networks in Finland. Characteristic to the Finnish natural gas network is the quite modern technology of its structures. Because of the used technology the pipelines have almost no leakages. Finnish district heating networks have typically light constructions in comparison with structures in some other countries.