An assessment of the environmental effects of energy systems, with emphasis on oil

This paper describes the approach of the VESE project undertaken by ENEA to assess the environmental and socioeconomic effects of various energy systems, and it refers to the fundamental choices adopted for the development of the project, to the work plan and to the analytical methods employed. This paper also reports the findings of an oil system case study concerning the Italian province of Piacenza: a set of oil-fired electric power plants, together with industrial and civil installations burning oil products. Fuel consumption and air pollution emissions were characterized through a field survey. The emission inventory of sulfur and nitrogen oxides and particulate matter were estimated with reference to area and point sources. A multisource dispersion model (DIMULA) was developed, which took into account certain meteorological peculiarities of the area (e.g., calm weather and/or fog). The model, first applied to the dispersion of sulfur oxides, has given encouraging results. A study of comparative forced expiratory volumes in elementary school children has been chosen to determine the air pollution health effects in the Piacenza province. Plant and animal resources in the province of Piacenza were identified through a field investigation. Published data on crop damage by air pollutants are discussed and statistically analyzed. A dose-response relationship was obtained for the yield loss of alfalfa caused by SO₂.