Green phase of coal technology in India

Recently, an agreement was signed between the BHEL and Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation to set up a 125 MW power plant at Vijayawada using IGCC (Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle) technology.

IGCC is considered as the cleanest among the emerging power technologies, it first converts solid coal into a combustible gas, which is then rid of sulphur compounds and other pollutants. The cleaned gas is burnt in a gas turbine to generate electricity. The exhaust gas from the turbine is further used to produce steam to drive a turbine and generate more electricity.

Thermal efficiency puts IGCC above the conventional pulverized coal technology. For every one percentage point rise in thermal efficiency, there would be a reduction of about two to three points in greenhouse gas emissions. These factors will also help IGCC plants qualify for earning carbon credits.

High ash content of Indian coal has been blamed for the higher emission of suspended particulate matter by thermal plants. But IGCC, in comparison with a conventional plant, promises to remove, independent of the coal type, 99 percent of the sulphur compounds, 90 percent of Nox and 35 percent of CO2. It is also low on water consumption. The World Bank estimates that the cost of an IGCC power plant is 10 to 30 percent higher than that of a conventional pulverized coal plant but the additional investment is well worth it.

Through this investment, it is made clear that India’s commitment to clean technology is on par with that of any developed country. The report on country’s integrated energy policy clearly states that coal will play a dominant role in energy production till 2031-32.

In such a scenario IGCC is a step in the right direction and the way forward. Similar efforts along with increased attention to solar and wind power generation will go to improve the environmental performance of the power sector significantly.

Courtesy: The Hindu Editorial