Abstract
Problem statement: Electricity can be generated from different type of technologies such as fossil and non-fossil power plants. Among these technologies, coal-fired power plants have been a major route for electricity generation. Recently, environmental constraints were imposed over the coal power plant operations in order to reduce their emissions. Besides, renewable energy power plants such as hydroelectric, wind, solar and geothermal have emerged with a potential of low impact on the environment. Approach: In this study, coal-fired power plants with a mix of low emission power plants were analyzed from the viewpoint of coal power plant emission reductions while supplying electricity demand. Electricity capacity expansion was also included within the problem to insure sufficient electricity supply in circumstances of emission reduction constraints. Results: Pollutants such as Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Sulfur Oxides (SOx) and mercury (Hg) were assumed to be the target compounds. A discrete mathematical programming model was formulated to give an assessment about the coal-fired power plant operations in an electricity generation network. Different scenarios of increased electricity demand and emission reduction targets were applied on Ontario Power Generation (OPG) network to give an illustration of the proposed model. Conclusion: The case study results show the significant impact of combining renewable energy or zero emission technologies on the optimal operation of a network that combines coal-fired power plants.
Highlights
The increased demand of electricity is driven mainly by the expansion of residential, commercial and industrial sectors in every country all over the world
Twenty three coal-fired boilers correspond to sources of Sulfur Oxides (SOx), Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and Hg emissions
Optimal production planning of electricity from a mixed of power plants was analyzed with the view of emission capture and reduction while maintaining sufficient electricity demand
Summary
The increased demand of electricity is driven mainly by the expansion of residential, commercial and industrial sectors in every country all over the world. Electricity have been generated from fossil fuels power plants (e.g., coal) due to the large amount of coal reservoir and the relatively coal cheap prices, precisely in North America. Coal combustion processes produce large amount of emissions that have drastic effects on the environment and public health. These effects have raised several constraints on coal power plant operations to reduce the airborne emissions. Current estimate of energy production from renewable energy sources is 14% of the total world energy demand. The future of electricity generation will be controlled by different factors, such as the economy of power production technologies and more importantly their environmental impacts
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: American Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
