Stop Adding Coal Based Thermal Power Plants!

 National Power Sector Scenario

 The installed Power generating capacity has increased from 1,400 MW in 1947 to about 1,77,000 MW by 2010-11, comprising  of about 97,000 MW Coal based Thermal Power Plants(TPPs) . Yet more than 20 % of the households in the country do not have access to electricity, even for those who have access, it is of poor quality and unreliable. with estimated shortage of energy to the extent of 10% .In spite of comparatively low per capita energy consumption (600 units), the energy intensity (consumption per unit of GDP) is high compared to Japan, Europe, the US, & Asia. This indicates inefficient use of energy in India, with a substantial scope for energy savings, even at lower per capita consumption.

 

Misplaced Priorities & Capacity Additions 

 

 The Integrated Energy Policy (IEP) Document (2006) of the Expert Committee of Planning Commission of India, projected huge growth of power installed/generating capacity to 8,00,000 MW by 2031-32 (about 5 times from the present level). The Syndrome of Capacity Addition is based on sustained growth rate of 8% to 10% for the next two decades, higher per capita consumption, the power for all by 2012 etc. The access to electricity is very uneven--urban oriented at the cost of rural areas

 

The linking of energy consumption/supply with the growth rate embodied the myth that economic vitality requires steadily increasing energy consumption.  It is suicidal trying to sustain annual growth rate based on high energy intensity. The Nation's Energy Security depends on efficient use of Energy Services that maximize economic competitiveness and minimize environmental degradation / impacts.

 

Impacts of Coal Based Thermal Power Plants (TPPs)

 

The IEP emphasizes that Coal shall remain the most important energy source till 2031-32, requiring about two billion tons of coal/ annum. Accordingly the capacity of coal based power plants is projected as 4 to 6 Lakh MW by 2031-32, 4 to 6 times the present capacity

 

The diversion of forests & forest lands for Coal Mining & Power Projects, often leads to displacement of scheduled tribes & other traditional forest dwellers, depriving Forest Rights of over 200 million people, who depend on forests for their livelihood. The seriousness of the issue is highlighted by the Ministerial Committee constituted by the Prime Minister, to resolve the Coal vs Forest tussle over "No-Go" Zones.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee (PSC) on Science & Technology and Environment & Forests, in its 192 Report submitted to the Parliament, observed that the share of SPM load caused by coal based Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) is about 82% of the total Industrial Pollution.

It is also observed that the Committee is aware of the importance of energy & power as the main driving force in the process of economic development, but at the same time it feels that the country can not afford to ignore and neglect the importance of environment.  It, therefore, emphasized the need to switch over to green sources of energy, as a long term solution of energy requirements.

 In addition to the adverse impacts of SPM caused by coal based TPPs, the problems of Mercury, NoX, SO2 etc, and their impacts on marine & coastal ecology and the communities dependent on them are enormous. The other aspect is the destruction of ecologically sensitive natural resources- Mangroves, Wetlands etc- by the coast based TPPs. The storage and deposal of fly-ash generated to the extent of 30% of the Indian coal used and its adverse impacts on water bodies and ground water are other associated problems 

Power System Inefficiencies

 

The fact is, "It takes energy to make energy". In the case of coal based TPPs, the energy is Extracted from Coal and Converted (Thermal-Mechanical-Electrical) to Electrical Energy, which is Transported from TPPs to the end users for Consumption.

 

It is estimated that by using Subcritical technology boilers and the steam turbine-generator sets, the efficiency of Extraction and Conversion to Electrical energy from Coal is hardly 33% and it may go up to around 40% even by using Supercritical technology boilers.

 

Taking into account, the consumption of electricity at TPPs (auxiliary consumption) the losses in Transportation of electricity to the end users (T&D Losses) and the inefficient use of Electrical Energy by the end users, the percentage of the actual energy effectively utilized comes down drastically. At present, the overall efficiency, of extraction and conversion of Coal Energy to Electrical Energy and its transportation & the end use, may work out to be hardly 10%.

 

While about 90% of energy of the Coal is being lost, should the addition of the Coal based TPPs be continued, unmindful of their associated adverse socio-economic & ecological impacts? Should we not give a thought & priority, at least, for improving the efficiencies in transportation and the end use,  which are  more cost effective ?   

 

Viable and Cost Effective Options 

 

Some of the viable cost effective options to be considered as an alternative to the syndrome of capacity addition of Coal Based TPPs are listed below:

 

1)SSM Measures: Under the Energy Conservation Act (2001), any equipment, appliance which generates, transmits or supplies or consumes energy, are required to adhere to spe­cific energy-consumption norms that may be prescribed. But only Thermal Power Plants are included in the 9 energy intensive industrial sectors to be covered under these norms. The Power Transmission and Distribution Utilities which transmit and supply power should also be brought under these norms

The highest  priority needs to be  given  for effective implementation of Supply Side Management (SSM)  Measures to be under taken  by the Power Utilities to bring down the losses in T&D Network  from the TPP to the input end of the consumer Meter (if there is a meter).This is very cost effective when compared to capacity addition, at an estimated capital cost of Rs.5 Crores per MW plus the cost of associated T&D network, without the associated adverse impacts As per 13 th Finance Commission Report in 2010, the economic impact of the losses in T&D network is  estimated to be Rs.68,000 Crores /annum and expected to go up to Rs.1,16,000  Crores by 2014-15

2) DSM Measures: In accordance with the National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency, under National Action Plan on Climate Change, the resources of BEE and the implementing agencies at the State Level  need to be augmented and strengthened  for speedy and effective implementation of Demand Side Management (DSM) Measures by the consumers, to bring down the Energy Intensity within a  given time frame by ensuring  optimum utilization of energy sources, The estimated potential of saving is around 20%. One unit saved at the consumer end is  equivalent to 2 units of installed capacity.

 

3) National Solar Mission: The allocation of more resources and high-priority need to be given for accelerating the development  of renewable Solar Power, keeping in view the objectives National Solar Mission , if required by technology tie-ups with developed countries.  

 

4) Solar Integration with the existing and new coal based Power Plants be made mandatory to a specified percentage, by making certain policy changes with regard to eligibility of Higher Tariff, Tax Concessions, CDM Benefits etc

 

5) Modernization / Up gradation of existing old coal based Thermal Power Plants by adopting cleaner IGCC  technology, with suitable incentives and by import of technology if required

 

6) Further Clearance of Coal based Thermal Power Plants be kept on hold , till the  progress on the above mentioned measures and TPPs already cleared is reviewed

 

 7) Ultra Mega Power Plants be limited at different locations to cater for Base -Load requirements in the immediate future

 

 8) Fly Ash: Drastic measures need to be taken for effective implementation of the provisions of MOEF Notification 2009, regarding Fly ash utilization

 

9) Urban (India) - Rural (Bharat) disparities, particularly with respect to availability of (Electrical) Power, be avoided. The present Rural Power problems are not entirely attributable to power shortages and they are because of urban bias and vulgar urban energy consumption / wastage.

 

Conclusion:

 

As Coal is a limited non renewable source, any technology for Coal based Thermal Power Generation cannot be considered as sustainable and will not be able to provide Energy Security. There is "Cleaner Coal Technology", but there is no "Clean Coal Technology".

 

Cautioning against the way development is being pursued in India, Prof.Elinor Ostram, Noble Laureate in Economics (2009) is reported to have said in Hyderabad "If we feel that eliminating poverty is only accomplished by building Power Plants and all the rest, rather than enabling people to develop resources in ways that are less destructive of the environment, the problem will get worse"  

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