Thermal  Energy  Sector – At Cross Roads
Since some decades, Global and India’s Thermal energy sector enjoyed very good growth without any obstacles.
On account of rising population, growing economic activities and with help of evolving new technologies (for coal & CCPP) energy sector was experiencing boost in terms of growth with capacity enhancement.
From late 80’s, world has seen concerns for Environment effects, climate changes, rising emissions which became critical in 2000. Last decade was watershed moment for actions on these issues as after which different fronts (demographic, economic, environment) saw consequences on mid to large scale.
Various developments after mid 2010 are in totally that direction strictly and affecting existing thermal plants in many ways on performance, technology, emissions and economic operation traits.
Now this has affected and impacted complete energy supply chain – generation, transmission, distribution and consumer , ultimately resulted in fierce competition among players.
Compulsions & Issues for Thermal Sector
Till now, it was a kind of free run for thermal energy sector which has resulted in modification, upgradation, repurposing, decommissioning, technology change, optimizing to remain operational within statutory envelop.
With increasing economic burden of engaging new & Improved environmental measure for emissions, tightening norms from statutory bodies, increase in coal handling, natural gas charges & other costs, thermal plants are going down on ladder for MOD (Merit Order Dispatch) considering variable costs of units generated.
So in a kind, Thermal energy sector growth affected as Developers’ are taking all these factors into account on new / planned / upcoming thermal plants for 25 / 30 years of its operations.
This has pressed all stake holders for thermal sector (Developers, EPC Organizations, DISCOMs, Society) to look for good business areas. And many doors are being knocked, opened as opportunities for the sector.
New Trends & Opportunities
The new trends / opportunities which are explored / some practiced ideas on smaller scale are now under thought process and evaluated from all angles.
These ideas can be broadly divided in different options – Operational plants and New plants under planning / implementation, Plants identified for Decommissioning / closure
Lets have a look at the opportunities under each option.
Operational Plants
Changes of base load designed plants for converting into partial / cyclic loading plants
Water life cycle optimization (exploring usage of STP / treated water for cooling circuit for less fresh water consumption, zero discharge system)
Asset Optimization (Recently this concept is practiced for various continuous process plants including Thermal power units)
Conversion of existing thermal units into WTE(Waste to Energy) plants
Aux. power consumption (Handle APC partially / fully with deployment of PV and BESS)
Exploring Hydrogen generation plant in complex space (based on availability) utilizing current hydrogen generation facility
Plants marked for Decommissioning / Closure
Relocating the plant in another country (particularly this practice is somewhat preferred way in lieu of complete new setup in under development countries)
Repurposing of old plants earmarked for closure / decommissioning (partially utilize some of existing equipment & space to convert the plant setup as PV+BESS+SYNCON)
Demolition of old lesser capacity units to setup higher capacity unit with balance space utilization for Solar PV + BESS + Green Hydrogen generation.
All thoughts in this sector are welcome for further discussion.
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