Coal-based thermal power plants have been an expensive proposition. There is no other option to be available in the future. Hence, it is essential to reduce the adverse environmental and ecological impact of coal-fired power plants
Coal-based thermal power plants are the epitome of pollution. They have come to symbolise the toll extracted by this form of energy generation on the environment. Every form of power generation, whether it is generation efficiency, pollution control, fly ash or wastewater management, all play a crucial role to degrade the environment.
In fact, visualising thermal power plants that help meet India’s energy requirements in an environmentally responsible manner seems like an oxymoron. More than 65 per cent of India’s electricity generation capacity comes from thermal power plants, with about 85 per cent of the country’s thermal power generation being coal-based. In addition, the 10 largest thermal power stations operating in India are all coal-fired.
Historically, coal-based thermal power plants have been an expensive proposition for the environment. A typical thermal power plant of 2,000 MW needs nearly 3,000 tonnes of coal per day and generates an average of 5,000 tonnes of flyash per day. The use of coal results in low calorific value and produces very high ash content— as high as 55 to 60 per cent — with an average value of about 35 to 40 per cent.
Further, most of the coal is located in the eastern part of the country and requires transportation over long distances, mostly by trains run on diesel, further adding to pollution. Other alternative sources of ‘clean’ energy are yet to reach the required scale of operation. For instance, hydro-electricity has been able to contribute up to 25 per cent of the country’s energy needs, but with ecological concerns looming large over the hydro-electric projects, the precious momentum gained by this energy source has already begun to wane.
In the foreseeable future, there is likely to be no other option available, as the nuclear power programme envisages an installation of 20,000 MW of power by the year 2020, when it will still be around five per cent of the installed capacity. Hence, it is very much essential to reduce the adverse environmental and ecological impact of coal-fired power plants, by introducing suitable green reforms in this industry.
In order to lend prominence to the effort of ushering in green thermal power plants, the Government must establish standards to which the power plants must conform. These standards must include aspects such as waste disposal, optimum utilisation of resources and the role of modern technology towards pollution prevention. For instance, water pollution is an avoidable facet of thermal power generation, and plants can use air-cooled condenser technology to cool the towers of the plant, instead of using water.
The initiative to promote thermal power production will a get major impetus if the thermal plants include environment into their production costs. In order to galvanise the producers into action, Environmentally-Friendly Pricing Policy can be implemented. The EFPP can aim to charge differential prices for the produced power according to the emission performance and standards followed by the power plant.
As per this initiative, those plants having emissions as per the prescribed norms can qualify for a market price. Whereas, plants that surpass the emission norms must have a penalised price per unit. This is essentially a polluter pays principle that not only accounts for environmental costs, but also makes accommodation for compensation in event of any negligence towards the environment.
The EFPP can instill sensitivity towards nature besides encouraging the enterprises to have a responsibility for their actions pertaining to moderation in the use of environmental resources. A research must be initiated to find ways through which a power plant capacity can be increased and at the same time reduce the environmental impact and also ensure that the production cost of per unit of electricity comes down.
One of the ways that can be explored is to convert coal into gas and transport the same to all power plants through a pipe grid. This will immediately help control pollution, regulate water usage and reduce consumption of furnace oil. Other benefits would include lesser land requirement to set up a plant, lower wear and tear and hence lower operational costs besides a healthy increase in plant load factor.
As the energy demand soars unabated, India must not wait for the renewable energy sector to mature. Instead, technologies must be accessed that will enable the power sector to integrate renewable energy with thermal power generation. These measures need to be accompanied by independent green-rating systems for power plants. The ratings can decide the price at which the plant can sell the units and what Government subsidies and incentives it is eligible for. This will help the cause of cost-effective and environmentally responsible power generation.