Coal to Biomass Conversion as a Path to Sustainability: A Hypothetical Scenario at Pego Power Plant (Abrantes, Portugal)

Margarida Casau,Leonel J R Nunes,Marta Ferreira Dias,Diana C M Cancela,João C O Matias

doi:10.3390/resources10080084

Margarida Casau, Leonel J R Nunes + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/resources10080084

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Abstract

Energy consumption is associated with economic growth, but it comes with a toll regarding the environment. Renewable energies can be considered substitutes for fossil fuels and may contribute to reducing the environmental degradation that the world is presently facing. With this research, we aimed to offer a broader view of the state-of-the-art in this field, particularly regarding coal and biomass. The main objective is to present a viable and sustainable solution for the coal power plants still in operation, using as a hypothetical example the Pego Power Plant, the last operating coal fueled power plant in Portugal. After the characterization of land use and energy production in Portugal, and more particularly in the Médio Tejo region, where the power plant is located, the availability of biomass was assessed and it was concluded that the volume of biomass needed to keep the Pego power plant working exclusively with biomass is much lower than the yearly growth volume of biomass in the region, which means that this transition would be viable in a sustainable way. This path is aligned with policies to fight climate change, since the use of biomass for energy is characterized by low levels of GHGs emissions when compared to coal. The risk of rural fires would be reduced, and the economic and social impact for this region would be positive.

Highlights

Energy is very important for the growth of any organization and country, as the majority of the actions carried out involve energy consumption, whether renewable or fossil [1]
Since energy consumption is associated with economic growth, renewable energies are substitutes for fossil fuels, and may contribute to reducing the environmental degradation that the world is presently facing [2]
There has been a substantial increase in the energy production from biomass since 2000. This situation is related to the Portuguese strategy started in 2006 assigning 100 MW to produce electricity from forest biomass and an additional 150 MW assigned to public interest projects

Summary

Introduction

Energy is very important for the growth of any organization and country, as the majority of the actions carried out involve energy consumption, whether renewable or fossil [1]. Since energy consumption is associated with economic growth, renewable energies are substitutes for fossil fuels, and may contribute to reducing the environmental degradation that the world is presently facing [2]. According to Baz et al (2021), the increasing consumption of polluting energies is generating situations that are difficult to solve, and that are directly causing health and environmental problems [3]. Several studies tried to understand the relationship between energy consumption and economic growth. As stated by Antonakakis et al (2017), the consumption of fossil fuels has been the major key driver for the global economic growth [7].

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