Repurposing coal plants |
What to do with your potentially stranded assets?
Conversion to energy storage and switching to wood based fuel are among the options
As previously reported in Modern Power Systems (Nov/December 2021, pp 31-33), one novel concept for repurposing coal fired power plants is turning them into thermal energy storage facilities, a concept under development by E2S Power. E2S, along with India Power Corporation, is now looking at the potential for applying this idea to the Indian coal fleet, and have signed an MoU. The government of India is aiming to achieve 227 GW of renewable capacity by 2022, and 500 GW by 2030. At the same time, about 50 GW of coal capacity will be decommissioned in the coming years, E2S notes. The thermal energy storage technology the company has developed promises urgently needed energy storage while making use of existing infrastructure, repurposing stranded coal assets, and safeguarding jobs. IPCL and E2S Power say they will work with major companies in Indian power and renewables to identify, evaluate and offer
optimised integrated thermal energy solutions for existing plants and facilities being phased out.
From lignite to biomass Meanwhile, at Greiz, Germany, Koehler Paper is converting a power plant from pulverised lignite to sieved fine wood fraction fuel, derived from wood processing and wood preparation. Koehler Renewable Energy, also part of the Koehler Group, has succeeded in developing an innovative technology that “makes it possible for a type of biomass to be used as fuel in the existing coal- fired power plant in a completely new way”, the company says. The converted plant is scheduled to be commissioned at the end of 2022. Koehler decided to build its own power plant at Greiz back in 2010. Rated at 16.7 MW thermal input, it produces steam and power. During the fuel conversion project development phase, two combustion tests were
Koehler Paper’s Greiz site
Above: E2S coal plant conversion concept. Thermal energy storage, in the form of TWEST (Travelling Wave Energy Storage Technology) is integrated into the coal plant, making maximum use of existing power plant assets and infrastructure
carried out that produced positive results on which to base the conversion to biomass, Koehler reports. A stable flame pattern and excellent combustion were achieved, along with lower sulphur dioxide emissions. The heat value of the new wood based fuel is approximately 14 MJ/kg, compared with 21 MJ/kg for pulverised lignite. A number of modifications are being carried out, including procurement of extra silos, so that the new fuel can be used in the existing CHP plant. As well as avoiding 24 000 metric tons of CO2
emissions per year from the Greiz site, the conversion will also significantly reduce other pollutants, including SOx, relative to those produced when the plant is running on pulverised lignite.
RECPP reports: roadmap for EU coal regions in transition
On 22 June 2022 in Germany, the EU funded VGBE led RECPP (Re-purposing Coal Power Plants during Energy Transition) project will hold a concluding workshop (with both on-line and live participation). It will be presenting its findings, describing “exemplary implementation concepts for re-purposing solutions for characteristic coal power plant sites” and “opening perspectives for coal-regions-in-transition beyond of the coal phase out.” RECPP started with mapping and screening of coal-regions-
in-transition, structured by country, type, age, etc. Specific site assets and commitments were taken into account (power purchase agreements, steam supply to nearby industry, mines, etc). The objective was collection and systematisation of data. To investigate the best sustainable re-purposing approach, a number of power plants were selected for further study. Simultaneously, sustainable options for infrastructure reuse were compiled and systematically described, taking account of boundary conditions for circular economy and sector coupling. Site specific options, such as wind and solar power generation, geothermal energy, hydrogen, thermal energy storage using existing infrastructure, were assessed in the context of infrastructure re-
use. In line with the objectives of the European Green Deal, special emphasis was given to innovative and emerging technologies supporting coal regions in transition, with final proposals as to the best solutions for different former coal power plant sites. The sites were matched with available technologies for
repurposing. Certain technologies may only be suitable for certain sites, depending on a range of criteria, such as legal and regulatory issues, technical features and market perspectives. The results of the exercise provide suggestions as to the best sustainable approach for repurposing of existing infrastructure and supporting re-orientation of existing assets to the circular economy and sector coupling. The RECPP project started on 1 July 2020 and was due to run to 30 June 2022. Thirteen European operators of power plants and research institutions, co-ordinated by VGBE, participated, with further partners providing expertise and support. Project coverage: 80000 employees; six countries; 67% of coal generated power in Europe; 835 power plants. The project has received funding from the Research Fund for Coal and Steel under grant agreement No 899512.
12 | April 2022|
www.modernpowersystems.com
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