Sustainable Mining and Metallurgy

By analyzing the carbon emission and intensity of global primary aluminum production, as well as the change trend of carbon emission intensity of each process, the article reveals that primary aluminum production, AC power consumption by aluminum electrolysis and power structure are the three most important factors affecting carbon emission. Of the three factors, the structure of the energy used for producing electrolytic aluminum is the most important factor affecting carbon emission intensity, and the resultant increase in carbon emission intensity completely offsets the contribution of non-power carbon emission sources. Therefore, controlling the carbon emission of electric power is the most important measure to reduce the carbon emission of electrolytic aluminum. In the future, China will further reduce the AC power consumption by electrolytic aluminum, adjust the energy structure, and significantly increase the proportion of green electricity, so as to make greater contributions to achieving the goal of carbon neutrality and coping with climate change.