Geochemical peculiarities of underground and surface waters in the area of influence of the ash dump of the Chita CHPP-1

As a result of filtration leaks from the ash dump, an envelope with a length of over 3 km up to the lake Kenon has been formed along the flow of groundwater bicarbonate-sulphate waters with a mineralization of more than 1.0 g / l, substandard in terms of drinking waters relative to the total mineralization, the magnitude of stiffness and the content of magnesium and silicon. Pollution of natural waters in the areas of disposal of ash dumps is a common problem of coal power plants and thermal power plants [1, 2]. In this regard, the Chita CHPP-1 is no exception. The purpose of this message is to show the change in the chemical characteristics of groundwater and surface water in the zone of influence of its hydraulic ash dump, based on the results of the work performed by the authors. The study was based on the results of hydrogeochemical studies of natural and man-made objects for 2002, 2008 and 2015. Samples were taken in the autumn-summer period (open water period), which, given the fairly stable hydrogeochemical regime within the annual cycle, is fairly representative.

Comparative Techno-Economic Analysis of Carbon Capture Processes: Pre-Combustion, Post-Combustion, and Oxy-Fuel Combustion Operations

Evaluation of economic aspects is one of the main milestones that affect taking rapid actions in dealing with GHGs mitigation; in particular, avoiding CO2 emissions from large source points, such as power plants. In the present study, three kinds of capturing solutions for coal power plants as the most common source of electricity generation have been studied from technical and economic standpoints. Aspen HYSYS (ver.11) has been used to simulate the overall processes, calculate the battery limit, and assess required equipment. The Taylor scoring method has been utilized to calculate the costliness indexes, assessing the capital and investment costs of a 230 MW power plant using anthracite coal with and without post-combustion, pre-combustion, and oxy-fuel combustion CO2 capture technologies. Comparing the costs and the levelized cost of electricity, it was found that pre-combustion is more costly, to the extent that the total investment for it is approximately 1.6 times higher than the oxy-fuel process. Finally, post-combustion, in terms of maturity and cost-effectiveness, seems to be more attractive, since the capital cost and indirect costs are less. Most importantly, this can be applied to the existing plants without major disruption to the current operation of the plants.

The Enemy Within? Green Industrial Policy and Stranded Assets in China’s Power Sector

This article examines potential interest group opposition to green industrial policies through the lens of state investment in China’s coal power sector. Using a novel data set on financial investments in Chinese coal power plants, we show that state actors have controlling stakes in the majority of nominally private coal plants. Importantly, the majority of such plants have investments from multiple levels of government. Green industrial policies could therefore face resistance from economic coalitions within the state, as state-owned coal plants and government agencies object to policies that harm their financial interests. Theoretically, this implies the need for a conceptualization of state capacity that allows for the ability to overcome internal opposition. Empirically, we highlight a predicament for the Chinese state: it has set ambitious goals to decarbonize but also has a vested interest in ensuring the profitability of the world’s largest coal-fired power generation fleet.

A study on carbon cap and trade effect to cost of electricity in accordance with the Merit Order of 300-400 MW coal power plants

Electricity is the basis of national development in a country. Power plants in Indonesia produces up to 283.8 TWh and are dominated by coal power plants which increase the amount of the greenhouse gases (GHG). In order to prevent more environmental problems, Indonesia ratified Paris Agreement by publishing the roadmap of Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) that committed in reducing 29% of GHG emissions in 2030, which 11% of them are from the energy sector contributions. This research focuses on the implementation of the carbon cap and trade (CAT) between coal power plants having 300-400 MW capacity, which can affect their cost of electricity (Rp/kWh). It is well known that cap and trade (CAT) is a method used for reducing the mitigation cost of emission reduction in an effective way. From this research, it is found that the highest rise of incremental cost belongs to the 300 MW power plant in scenario 9 and the increase is from Rp.431.00/kWh to Rp.462.77/kWh, or approximately 7.37%. This research also shows that the most optimal carbon price is in the range of Rp. 130,165 to Rp.130,183 because the rank of the 330 MW and 400 MW power plant in merit order changes over in this condition. In the future, this research can be used as a comparison with the higher coal power plant capacity, so that an alternative way is obtained to determine the more optimal merit order.

A Promising Method of Utilization of Ash and Slag Waste of Variable Composition at Coal-fired Power Plants

A comparative analysis of ash and slag waste (ASW) of six deposits, differing in quantitative chemical and phase composition, granulometry, melting temperature and other properties, is presented, and the production of a material promising for the construction industry is proposed – aggloporite, the production technology of which practically does not depend on the composition and properties of TPP ash. Aggloporite can also be used in road construction to form side slopes. The proposed method of recovery of large volumes of ash and slag waste accumulated at a number of power plants opens up opportunities to improve the environmental situation in the areas located in the vicinity of coal power plants, free up significant land areas occupied by ash and slag waste storage facilities, and reduce the harmful effect of waste on soil, water and air.