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Micropollutants of priority have gained significant attention due to their rising concentrations and persistence in aquatic environments. Among these significant micro-pollutants is benzene, released into the environment because of mining activities, thermal power plants, and certain industrial operations, thereby contributing to environmental contamination. This study monitored benzene concentrations in the Orhaneli River over a year, employing an artificial neural network (ANN) approach to formulate a predictive model for benzene micropollutant concentrations. To provide input to the ANN, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was employed, utilizing parameters such as precipitation, temperature, humidity, pH, flow rate, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, total organic carbon, and total nitrogen. Eleven backpropagation algorithms were compared, with the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm identified as the optimal training algorithm. For the selected training algorithm, an optimized number of 6 neurons in the hidden layer provided the best predictions for benzene concentrations. The three-layered optimized ANN model achieved an impressive correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.9889. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new cable-damper stopper equipped for Coal-Fired Thermal Power Plants (CFTPPs) was proposed in our previous paper, where a series of shaking table tests were carried out to investigate its seismic performance, so this paper aims to reveal the working mechanism of the stopper from the theoretical and numerical simulation aspects. The stopper is composed of three main components, i.e. a steel cable, a steel block and a viscous damper. First, the nonlinear restraint stiffness of the steel cable to the boiler was derived; second, the critical damping of the stopper, which makes the vibration of the boiler decay exponentially with no oscillation, was derived; third, an iterative method was proposed to globally tune the CFTPP structure, which makes it possible to obtain the optimal parameters of the cable-damper stopper, including the diameter of the steel cable and damping coefficient of the damper. Finally, finite element models were built and time history analyses were conducted to verify the proposed optimization approach. Firstly, the finite element models were proved valid through the comparison between the results of the simulations and the experiments. Then, based on the results of the simulations, the theoretical procedure was validated. The results revealed that the proposed cable-damper stopper reduced the seismic responses of displacements of the top floor and the boiler significantly, about 30.18% and 60.01% respectively compared with their counterparts of CFTPPs without stoppers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increase in greenhouse gas emissions, mainly CO2 is one of the current concerns. Agri-municipal solid waste (MSW) based biomass is a promising eco-friendly alternative source of renewable energy to mitigate the twin problems of fossil fuel depletion and environmental degradation due to CO2 emissions. An integration of mixed fuel-based (coal+biomass) power generation with algal CO2 capture is expected to reduce the CO2 emission. In addition algal biomass, a rich resource of fuel and biochemicals, is produced. This article focuses on the analysis of energy and environmental performance of an integrated system of 30 TPD integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power plant, co-fired with Indian coal and Agri-MSW, and microalgal CO2 capture (70%) unit using three algal strains, namely, Chlorella Vulgaris, Nannochloropsis spp and Scenedesmus spp. The analyses have been performed considering the use of (a) in-house power and (b) grid power for the algal unit individually using Chlorella Vulgaris, Nannochloropsis spp and Scenedesmus using ASPEN Plus modelling. It is expected that the results of the analysis will be helpful in designing an integrated system of coal-biomass based IGCC power plants with algal CO2 capture units using different varieties of biomass and algal strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metals in flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum from coal-fired power plants are at risk of releaching during the processes of stockpiling and resource utilization. In this study, the effects of organosulfur chelators dithiocarbamate (DTC) and trisodium trithiocyanate-15 (TMT-15) on the solidification characteristics of heavy metals in desulphurized gypsum under different mass fractions, pH values, water contents and reaction times were investigated. The chemical composition and morphology were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The experiments showed that both DTC and TMT-15 were effective at stabilizing the heavy metals in the FGD gypsum, with more than a 50% curing effect for all the heavy metals except Pb. DTC showed a better stabilization for Pb, Hg, Cu, Zn, and Cr, and TMT-15 showed a better curing effect for Cd. The solidified gypsum had good heavy metal stability in low-water-content environments. Increasing the mass fraction, reaction time, and pH decreased the heavy metal leaching, and the mass fraction had the greatest effect on the total heavy metal leaching concentration, followed by the reaction time and pH value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With a significant share of renewable power generation integrated into the power supply, it is crucial to timely adjust the regulating peak load for coal-fired power plants equipped with CO2 capture to ensure the stable operation of the multi-energy supply system. In this paper, the effects of varying boiler loads on the techno-economic performance of the retrofitted power plant were studied. Furthermore, the potential for reducing the cost of CO2 capture was investigated, and early opportunities for demonstration were discussed. Results showed that when the boiler load decreased from 100% turbine heat acceptance condition to 50% turbine heat acceptance condition, the cost of CO2 capture increased from 37.0 $/t CO2 to 57.0 $/t CO2, cost contribution of energy penalty and extra capital investment also increased from 20.6 $/t-CO2 to 25.7 $/t-CO2, and from 16.4 $/t-CO2 to 31.3 $/t-CO2, respectively. Furthermore, by improving separation efficiency from 0.15 to 0.5, a 25% to 30% reduction in CO2 capture cost can be achieved. The cost of CO2 capture could decrease by 42.2–50.5% when the cumulative capacity reaches 250 GW under the high investment learning rate scenario. According to the distribution of coal prices and renewable energy sources in China, the early demonstration projects of multi-energy supply systems should prioritize the northern region. The results of this work can provide informative references for making roadmaps and policies for CO2 emission reduction toward carbon neutrality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hot corrosion behaviours of 5-mm-thick plates of dissimilar AISI 904L and Inconel 625 weldments produced by continuous current gas tungsten arc welding process using Ni-Cr-Mo-enriched filler wires (ERNiCrMo-4 and ERNiCrCoMo-1) were investigated. Optical microscopy was used to examine the microstructure of these weldments. The corrosion performance of the weldments and base metals was determined in the mixture of K2SO4 + 60% NaCl molten salt (MS) and air oxidation conditions at 700°C for 50 cycles. The thermogravimetric plots derived the corrosion kinetics of the weldments. The microstructure and the elemental analysis of the scales formed on the corroded samples were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. The phases developed on the oxide layers during the corrosion were analysed using X-ray diffraction. The fusion zones of ERNiCrCoMo-1 weldment and AISI 904L base metal were vulnerable to degradation in the MS environment, causing severe cracks and spallation compared to ERNiCrCoMo-1 weldment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To effectively reduce SO2 emissions, flue gas desulfurization methods are widely used in coal‐fired power plants. In desulfurization, the dry sorbent injection (DSI) technology has the advantages of high desulfurization efficiency, simple operation, convenient adjustment, and low initial investment. Here, a pilot‐scale experimental system was designed and built to investigate the desulfurization characteristics of the DSI technology. The influence of the residence time of the desulfurizer, the reaction temperature, the stoichiometric ratio of the desulfurization reaction, the particle size of the desulfurizer, the inlet SO2 concentration, the dust concentration, and the water vapor content in the flue gas on the desulfurization efficiency at low SO2 concentrations was studied by injecting NaHCO3 into the pipeline. The desulfurization efficiency can be significantly improved by reducing the desulfurizer particle size or increasing the water vapor content in the flue gas at low SO2 concentration. An empirical formula describing the dependence of the desulfurization efficiency on experimental parameters is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose the non-radial meta-frontier global Luenberger productivity index, which addresses the issues of technology heterogeneity, slack variable, and linear programming infeasibility, and decompose it based on the technology perspective and factor perspective. With the dataset of China's power plants from 2005 to 2015, we identify the effects of the multi-targets, including energy-saving targets and SO2 reduction targets, in the 12th Five-Year Plan on green productivity encompassing all channels of effects. A 1% increase in the average energy-saving target cumulatively increases green productivity by 0.50%, while a 1% increase in the average SO2 reduction target cumulatively decreases that by 0.03%. In all channels, the technology leadership effect and generation efficiency exhibit sensitivity. Differential effects of the multi-targets on state-owned versus non-stateowned plants imply significant differences in observed production technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the first results of a ground-based imaging experiment using a shortwave infrared spectral camera to quantify carbon dioxide (CO 2) emissions from a coal-fired power plant in Mannheim, Germany. The power plant emits more than 4.9 Mt CO 2 yr -1 and is a validation opportunity for the emission estimation technique. The camera is a hyperspectral imaging spectrometer that covers the spectral range from 900 to 2500 nm with a spectral resolution of 7 nm. We identify CO 2 enhancements from hourly averaged images using an iterative matched filter retrieval using the 2000 nm absorption band of CO 2. We present 11 plume images from 5 d in 2021 and 2022 covering a variety of ambient conditions. We design a forward model based on a three-dimensional, bent-over Gaussian plume rise simulation and compare our observed emission plumes with the forward model. The model depends on the parameters ambient wind velocity, wind direction, plume dispersion, and emission rate. We retrieve the emission rate by minimizing the least-squares difference between the measured and the simulated images. We find an overall reasonable agreement between the retrieved and expected emissions for power plant emission rates between 223 and 587 t CO 2 h -1. The retrieved emissions average 84 % of the expected emissions and have a mean relative uncertainty of 24 %. The technique works at wind speeds down to 1.4 m s -1 and can follow diurnal emission dynamics. We also include observations with unfavorable ambient conditions, such as background heterogeneity and acute observation angles. These conditions are shown to produce considerable biases in the retrieved emission rates, yet they can be filtered out reliably in most cases. Thus, this emission estimation technique is a promising tool for independently verifying reported emissions from large point sources and provides complementary information to existing monitoring techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel multi-stage time scale economic dispatch scheme is proposed for virtual power plants, taking into account the uncertainties arising from the connection of distribution network sources. This research introduces specific scheduling schemes tailored to various time scales within distribution networks, including a fuzzy optimized day ahead scheduling scheme, an intra-day scheduling scheme combined with Deep Q Network, and an adaptive optimized real-time scheduling scheme. This plan mainly considers the impact of photovoltaic output and conducts scheduling one day in advance through fuzzy optimization. In the intraday scheduling, different strategies were adopted in the study. By combining with Deep Q Network, research on scheduling for intraday demand within the power system. The analysis is conducted through rigorous modeling. Experimental tests were conducted to evaluate the performance of the proposed schemes. The day ahead dispatching primarily considers the impact of photovoltaic output and calculates the cost associated with each link in the grid under three different meteorological conditions. In the intra-day scheduling, the total costs for Scenario 1, Scenario 2, and Scenario 3 are found to be 34,724.5 yuan, 36,296.5 yuan, and 33,275.8 yuan, respectively. Notably, strategies 1 and 2 demonstrate lower costs compared to the pre-day scheduling, with the exception of Scenario 3. In real-time scheduling, considering the matching between sources and sources, the matching rate between sources and sources can be maintained at over 95%, and the stability and cost of the power grid have significantly decreased. In summary, by proposing a multi-stage time scale economic scheduling scheme, this study fully considers the uncertainty of the power supply of the distribution network access, as well as the different needs of day, day and real-time scheduling, providing an effective solution for the power dispatching of virtual power plants and providing important technical support for the reliability and economy of the power system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the electrochemical characteristics of high-chromium white cast irons (HCCIs) and their suitability as impellers in flue-gas desulfurizer (FGD) slurry pumps of coal-fired power plants. By evaluating the corrosion and wear resistance of HCCI specimens with varying Cr contents, it was confirmed that the corrosion mechanism of HCCI involves micro-galvanic corrosion between the matrix and iron–chromium and carbon intermetallic compounds. Furthermore, the study revealed that HCCI with 32 wt% Cr content exhibited superior corrosion resistance, owing to the full-ferrite matrix with complete Cr dissolution that facilitated the enrichment of Cr(OH)3 and Cr2O3 on the HCCI surface. The results demonstrate that the addition of 32 wt% Cr to HCCI enhances its passivation ability and improves its ability to resist both micro-galvanic corrosion and erosion–cavitation. Finally, the performance of the impeller fabricated with HCCI containing 32 wt% Cr was validated in a real environment for 16 months with a FGD slurry pump, and it was found to be in excellent condition, further highlighting the effectiveness of HCCI for use as impellers in FGD slurry pumps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of a low‐carbon economy, considering the output uncertainties of the renewable energy sources and the fluctuation of electrical price, the cost–benefit analysis is proposed for multi‐investor virtual power plant (VPP) under different risk preferences, and multi‐investor VPP capacity sizing problem is researched. First, the structural organization and flexible regulation characteristics of multi‐investor VPPs are analyzed. Second, integrated model and cost–benefit analysis indexes of VPP are built. Third, an optimal capacity sizing model of multi‐investor VPP is established, aiming at income maximization. Game theory is used to configure the distributed generators in the VPP under various cooperative modes and noncooperative modes of multiple investors. Fourth, according to the installed proportion of each distributed generator and the risk preference coefficient of each investor, the income allocation correction model based on the improved Shapley value method is proposed to stabilize the optimal VPP alliance. Finally, the demonstration project in the animation industry park of Sino‐Singapore Tianjin Eco‐City is employed as representative scenarios, which is used to validate the effectiveness of the proposed model. The results prove that the method proposed in this paper can guide knowledge for the investors with different risk preferences when planning the optimal capacity of multiple distributed generators in the VPP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alternative solvents based on aqueous solutions of amino acids have been recently developed as possible substitutes for Mono Ethanol Amine (MEA) for CO2 removal from flue gas streams. The potassium taurate solvent has the advantages of degradation resistance, low toxicity and low energy requirements for its regeneration. With any type of solvent, CO2 removal applied to a power production plant decreases the revenues obtained from selling electricity because of the energy requirements. Operating the CO2 removal section in flexible mode avoids significant effects on the profits of the power plant, while accomplishing environmental regulations. This work is the first journal paper focusing on the application in flexible mode of the potassium taurate system for treating a flue gas stream from a 500 MW coal-fired power plant. Techno-economic evaluations are performed to determine the best operating conditions considering the variation in the electricity demand and its price, and different values of carbon tax. In the summer period, with high electricity prices and demands, carbon tax values between 45 EUR/tCO2 and 60 EUR/tCO2 favor CO2 absorption in the flexible mode, without periods of full CO2 emissions during the day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combustion power plants emit carbon dioxide (CO2), which is a major contributor to climate change. Direct emissions measurement is cost-prohibitive globally, while reporting varies in detail, latency, and granularity. To fill this gap and greatly increase the number of power plants worldwide with independent emissions monitoring, we developed and applied machine learning (ML) models using power plant water vapor plumes as proxy signals to estimate electric power generation and CO2 emissions using Landsat 8, Sentinel-2, and PlanetScope imagery. Our ML models estimated power plant activity on each image snapshot, then an aggregation model predicted plant utilization over a 30-day period. Lastly, emission factors specific to region, fuel, and plant technology were used to convert the estimated electricity generation into CO2 emissions. Models were trained with reported hourly electricity generation data in the US, Europe, and Australia and were validated with additional generation and emissions data from the US, Europe, Australia, Türkiye, and India. All results with sufficiently large sample sizes indicate that our models outperformed the baseline approaches. In validating our model results against available generation and emissions reported data, we calculated the root mean square error as 1.75 TWh (236 plants across 17 countries over 4 years) and 2.18 Mt CO2 (207 plants across 17 countries over 4 years), respectively. Ultimately, we applied our ML method to plants that constitute 32% of global power plant CO2 emissions, as estimated by Climate TRACE, averaged over the period 2015–2022. This dataset is the most comprehensive independent and free-of-cost global power plant point-source emissions monitoring system currently known to the authors and is made freely available to the public to support global emissions reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an indispensable component of coal-fired power plants, boilers play a crucial role in converting water into high-pressure steam. The oxygen content in the flue gas is a crucial indicator, which indicates the state of combustion within the boiler. The oxygen content not only affects the thermal efficiency of the boiler and the energy utilization of the generator unit, but also has adverse impacts on the environment. Therefore, accurate measurement of the flue gas's oxygen content is of paramount importance in enhancing the energy utilization efficiency of coal-fired power plants and reducing the emissions of waste gas and pollutants. This study proposes a prediction model for the oxygen content in the flue gas that combines the whale optimization algorithm (WOA) and long short-term memory (LSTM) networks. Among them, the whale optimization algorithm (WOA) was used to optimize the learning rate, the number of hidden layers, and the regularization coefficients of the long short-term memory (LSTM). The data used in this study were obtained from a 350 MW power generation unit in a coal-fired power plant to validate the practicality and effectiveness of the proposed hybrid model. The simulation results demonstrated that the whale optimization algorithm–long short-term memory (WOA-LSTM) model achieved an MAE of 0.16493, an RMSE of 0.12712, an MAPE of 2.2254%, and an R 2 value of 0.98664. The whale optimization algorithm–long short-term memory (WOA-LSTM) model demonstrated enhancements in accuracy compared with the least squares support vector machine (LSSVM), long short-term memory (LSTM), particle swarm optimization–least squares support vector machine (PSO-LSSVM), and particle swarm optimization–long short-term memory (PSO-LSTM), with improvements of 4.93%, 4.03%, 1.35%, and 0.49%, respectively. These results indicated that the proposed soft sensor model exhibited more accurate performance, which can meet practical requirements of coal-fired power plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• PM 2.5 has higher mass Hg concentrations and bioavailable Hg fractions than PM 10. • HCl-soluble Hg species dominate in PM while has significant relationship with elemental Hg in PM 2.5. • Oxidation of CFPP-discharged Hg0 is responsible for elevated HCl-soluble Hg species. • Bioavailability and environmental risks of HgP around the ULE-retrofitted CFPP are elevated. Ultra-low emission (ULE) technology retrofits significantly impact the particulate-bound mercury (Hg) emissions from coal-fired power plants (CFPPs); however, the distribution and bioavailability of Hg in size-fractioned particulate matter (PM) around the ULE-retrofitted CFPPs are less understood. Here, total Hg and its chemical speciation in TSP (total suspended particles), PM 10 (aerodynamic particle diameter ≤ 10 µm) and PM 2.5 (aerodynamic particle diameter ≤ 2.5 µm) around a ULE-retrofitted CFPP in Guizhou Province were quantified. Atmospheric PM 2.5 concentration was higher around this ULE-retrofitted CFPP than that in the intra-regional urban cities, and it had higher mass Hg concentration than other size-fractioned PM. Total Hg concentrations in PM had multifarious sources including CFPP, vehicle exhaust and biomass combustion, while they were significantly higher in autumn and winter than those in other seasons (P < 0.05). Regardless of particulate size, atmospheric PM-bound Hg had lower residual fractions (< 21%) while higher HCl-soluble fractions (> 40%). Mass concentrations of exchangeable, HCl-soluble, elemental, and residual Hg in PM 2.5 were higher than those in other size-fractioned PM, and were markedly elevated in autumn and winter (P < 0.05). In PM 2.5 , HCl-soluble Hg presented a significantly positive relationship with elemental Hg (P < 0.05), while residual Hg showed the significantly positive relationships with HCl-soluble Hg and elemental Hg (P < 0.01). Overall, these results suggested that atmospheric PM-bound Hg around the ULE-retrofitted CFPP tends to accumulate in finer PM, and has higher bioavailable fractions, while has potential transformation between chemical speciation. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Offshore photovoltaic power stations (OPVPS) greatly help solve energy problems and land resource scarcity. A crucial phase of the OPVPS project lifecycle is site selection. To select the optimal location of OPVPS with many difficulties such as the uncertainty of the environment, the compensating relationships among criteria, and the different attributes of the alternatives, this paper proposed a fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making framework based on Pythagorean fuzzy Elimination et Choix Traduisant la Realité-III (ELECTRE-III) method. First, the comprehensive criteria system for siting OPVPS was constructed, which included veto and evaluation criteria. Second, the Pythagorean fuzzy set was used to express the uncertain evaluation of experts. Third, considering the actual situation that experts had different experiences and abilities, this paper proposed a novel expert weighting method. Fourth, entropy weighting method, best–worst method, and combination weighting of game theory were introduced to calculate the criteria weights. Fifth, considering the compensation between criteria, ELECTRE-III was used for ranking. Finally, to verify the applicability and robustness of the proposed framework, a China case study was conducted; the results showed that Haizhou Bay is the best alternative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Condensable particulate matter (CPM) is different from filterable particulate matter (FPM), which could escape from air pollution control devices (APCDs) and pose a great threat to the environment and human health. Thus, modeling and experimental studies were conducted on CPM particle behavior and removal, in a cold electrode electrostatic precipitator (CE−ESP) coupled with a electric field, temperature field and concentration field. A multi−field force coupling model was then established that was based on the mechanical behavior of particles inside the CE−ESP. The results showed that temperature field was beneficial to depositing small size particles and that, the greater the temperature gradient, the higher CPM's removal efficiency. While the electric field tended to gather larger size particles, the greater the voltage provided, the higher the removal efficiency for CPM and FPM. In the multi−field, the augmented coagulation and the removal efficiencies of both CPM and FPM increased significantly, reaching 89% and 98%, respectively. Subsequently, experiments were conducted by a self−made CE−ESP device, which showed the removal efficiencies of CE−ESP of a CPM in a multi−field were 91% and 81% for a coal−fired power plant and a waste incineration plant, respectively. This research could make a great contribution to CPM condensation, aggregation and removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uranium (U) associated with coal can be an important source of U and result in environmental pollution during coal combustion. In this study, we developed a method for measurement of U isotope ratios in coals using multiple‐collector inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry. The 233U‐236U double‐spike was utilised to calibrate the instrumental isotopic fractionation. High‐pressure bomb and dry ashing were adopted to digest the coal samples. The δ238UCRM‐145 values obtained from the two different digestion procedures were in good agreement. The δ238UCRM‐145 of seven coal and one fly ash reference materials are reported. Furthermore, the results of fly ash, bottom ash and feed coal samples reveal that the combustion processes lead to relatively small U isotopic fractionation between the samples within the same coal‐fired power plant, indicating that U isotope data can be used as a tracer for heavy metal pollution resulting from coal combustion. The U isotope measurement method of coal established in this study provides technical support to understand the behaviour of U during coal formation and combustion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term deposition of atmospheric pollutants emitted from coal combustion and their effects on the eco-environment have been extensively studied around coal-fired power plants. However, the effects of coal-fired power plants on soil microbial communities have received little attention through atmospheric pollutant deposition and coal-stacking. Here, we collected the samples of power plant soils (PS), coal-stacking soils (CSS) and agricultural soils (AS) around three coal-fired power plants and background control soils (BG) in Huainan, a typical mineral resource-based city in East China, and investigated the microbial diversity and community structures through a high-throughput sequencing technique. Coal-stacking significantly increased (p < 0.05) the contents of total carbon, total nitrogen, total sulfur and Mo in the soils, whereas the deposition of atmospheric pollutants enhanced the levels of V, Cu, Zn and Pb. Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Thaumarchaeota, Thermoplasmata, Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were the dominant taxa in all soils. The bacterial community showed significant differences (p < 0.05) among PS, CSS, AS and BG, whereas archaeal and fungal communities showed significant differences (p < 0.01) according to soil samples around three coal-fired power plants. The predominant environmental variables affecting soil bacterial, archaeal and fungal communities were Mo-TN-TS, Cu-V-Mo, and organic matter (OM)-Mo, respectively. Certain soil microbial genera were closely related to multiple key factors associated with stacking coal and heavy metal deposition from power plants. This study provided useful insight into better understanding of the relationships between soil microbial communities and long-term disturbances from coal-fired power plants. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies when and under what conditions the actions undertaken by the power plants involved in China's emission trading scheme (ETS) pilot became cost effective. Based on unique plant-level panel data and the difference-in-differences strategy, we identify that an insignificant initial reduction in cost efficiency occurred at the announcement stage for power plants in the pilot provinces; however, the cost efficiency of the pilot plants increased significantly following formal policy implementation. Additionally, the by-stage treatment effects differed across the pilot provinces due to localized market and non-market variations. Localized conditions of higher marketization, stricter policy enforcement, and lower carbon dependence enhanced this positive effect. The synthetic control results confirmed this variation in the policy effects. The carbon trading pilots resulted in improved efficiency in power plants in Shanghai, Guangdong, and Tianjin during the period 2013--2017, with an associated total cost saving of approximately 29.75 million RMB. To enhance the efficacy of the ETS policy, our findings suggest that the design of the policy should consider localized external factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims a techno-economic analysis of a plant that produces methanol by hydrogenating carbon dioxide in the waste gas from an oil refinery using the electricity from floating photovoltaic power plant. First, carbon dioxide in the flue gas is captured in the carbon capture plant (CCP), and the hydrogen obtained from the seawater in the hydrogen plant (HP) with the help of photovoltaic energy is combined in the methanol plant (MPP) to produce methanol fuel. Using the Engineering Equation Solver (EES), a calculation was made of the amount of energy required and the number of solar panels or wind turbines that would be required to meet this demand, and then the environmental impact of the methanol plant was investigated. The Libyan Az-Zawiya oil refinery was considered for the case study due to its high solar potential, proximity to the sea and energy security. Systems' processes for CO 2 emissions, heat integration, energy efficiency, and thermo-economic performance were all taken into consideration. Renewable energy, synthetic fuel, and the methanol plant showed efficiencies of 0.21%, 0.5872%, and 0.1626%, respectively, and at the optimum density of the electrolyzer, 2.2 kA/m2, the efficiency of the electrolyzer was 0.782%. According to this study, all output parameters increase with the increase in the flue gas in the process, showing that flue gas is the most important input parameter affecting the outputs. The total cost of the plant for 30 years of operation was found to be $11.350 billion, with a production capacity of over 43.360 million tons of methanol, which equates to $412.9 per ton and $0.4129 per kg. Environmentally, the rate of captured emissions was about 4890 tons per day, and the mitigation rate was approximately 4513 tons per day. According to the results, the current plant is competitive with other clean synthetic fuel production plants. • High CO2 reduction potential. • Renewable hydrogen and methanol production. • On-demand hydrogen generation is provided with PEM electrolysis. • Hydrogen generation costs are competitive with other methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sustainable energy transition to a low-carbon and climate-neutral economy by 2050 requires a consistent increase in the share of renewable energy sources (RESs) at the expense of the share of fossil fuels. The coal power plants in the Republic of Bulgaria have provided about one third of the annually produced electric power for decades, utilizing mainly locally available sources of lignite. The present work aimed to review the progress of the energy transition, its rejection and acceptance at the national and international scene alongside the available research for cleaner coal combustion in Bulgaria, as well as discuss a Bulgarian perspective for coal share reduction options for power generation during the energy transition. A comprehensive review was carried out, based on freely accessible data such as research and open media articles, officially published field reports, legislative and strategic acts as well as validated statistical data. Three groups of critical gaps (socioeconomic, sociotechnical and cultural and political) were indicated, claimed to be capable of guiding the just transition. Key factors influencing the process dynamics were identified and categorized in the context of the critical gaps. The peculiar policy criteria for the carbon-intensive regions are as follows: the dominant energy carriers, existing infrastructure, involved actors and choice of strategy. The observations allowed us to conclude that in addition to the efforts achieved and ambitious political will, the identification of reliable technological and socioeconomic measures is needed more than ever (accompanied by interdisciplinary research involving the technical, social and environmental and policy factors), while renewables still have long way to go towards complete substitution of the fossil fuels for power generation, transport, and manufacturing. Limited literature was found for reducing the share of coal from currently operating Bulgarian coal-fired power plants (CFPPs). Herein, short- and/or medium-term measures for carbon emission reduction were discussed, capable of promoting the limited operation of existing CFPPs, thus paving the road towards a sustainable, long-term transition. These measures concerned the typically used power units in the largest CFPPs located at the Maritsa Iztok Mining Complex (MIMC). Analyses of the biomass production, supply and cost for the same type of power units were proposed, considering the use of 100% biomass. Estimated costs, unit efficiencies and power generation were discussed along with the evaluations about the land use, ensuring a given annual productivity of wood chips from fast growing plants, e.g., Paulownia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coal fly ash from a coal fired power plant is a significant anthropogenic source of various heavy metals in surrounding soils. In this study, heavy metal contamination in topsoil around Sahiwal coal fired power plant (SCFPP) was investigated. Within distance of 0–10, 11–20, 21–30 and 31–40 km of SCFPP, total 56 soil samples were taken, 14 replicate from each distance along with a background subsurface soil sample beyond 60 km. Soil samples were subjected to heavy metals analysis including Fe, Cu and Pb by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Composite samples for each distance were analyzed for Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Mn, Mo, Ni, Se, Sr, Zn by Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP). Pollution indices of exposed soil including Enrichment Factor (EF), Contamination Factor (CF), Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), and Pollution Load Index (PLI) were calculated. Ecological risk index (Eri) of individual metals and the Potential Ecological Risk Index (PERI) for all metals were determined. Soil samples within 40 km of SCFPP were significantly polluted with Pb (mean 2.81 ppm), Cu (mean 0.93 ppm), and Fe (mean 7.93 ppm) compared to their background values (Pb 0.45, Cu 0.3, and Fe 4.9 ppm). Some individual replicates were highly contaminated where Pb, Fe, and Cu values were as high as 6.10, 35.4 and 2.51 ppm respectively. PLI, Igeo, CF, and EF for metals classified the soil around CFPP as "moderate to high degree of pollution", "uncontaminated to moderately contaminated", "moderate to very high contamination", and "moderate to significant enrichment" respectively with average values for Cu as 2.75, 0.82, 3.09, 4.01; Pb 4.79, 1.56, 6.16, 7.76, and for Fe as 1.20, 0.40, 1.62, 3.35 respectively. Average Ecological Risk Index (Eri) of each metal and Potential Ecological Risk Index (PERI) for all metals classified the soils as "low risk soils" in all distances. However, (Eri) of Pb at a number of sites in all distances have shown "moderate risk". The linear correlation of physico-chemical parameter (EC, pH, Saturation %) and metals have recorded several differential correlations, however, their collective impact on Pb in 0–10 km, has recorded statistically significant correlation (p-value 0.01). This mix of correlations indicates complex interplay of many factors influencing metal concentrations at different sampling sites. The concentration of As, Cr, Co, Cd, and Zn was found within satisfactory limits and lower than in many parts of the world. Although the topsoil around SCFPP is largely recorded at low risk, for complete assessment of its ecological health, further research considering comprehensive environmental parameters, all important trace metals and variety of input pathways is suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The low-low-temperature electrostatic precipitator (LLT-ESP) is considered one of the mainstream technological approaches for achieving ultra-low ash emissions and has already been applied in many coal-fired power plants. Particulate matter and SO3 can both be removed by LLT-ESP. However, the removal performance of SO3 is relatively lower than that of particulate matter, which is caused by the condensation characteristics of SO3. In this paper, the condensation characteristics of SO3 were investigated on a simulated experimental system, and several measurement and characteristic methods were used to investigate mechanisms. After reducing the flue gas temperature with a heat exchanger, the size distribution of particulate matter, the mass concentration of SO3 on different sizes of particulate matter, as well as the microscopic morphology and elemental composition of particulate matter, were all experimentally studied. The results indicate that gaseous SO3 transformed into a liquid phase by heterogeneous or homogeneous condensation and then adhered to the surface of particulate matter through nucleation–condensation, collision–coalescence, and adsorption reactions. Furthermore, the removal efficiency of SO3 in LLT-ESP was also investigated under various conditions, such as ash concentration and flue gas temperature drop, suggesting that a higher ash concentration and a more significant temperature drop were beneficial for improving SO3 removal efficiency. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that the impact was limited by a further increase in ash concentration and a drop in flue gas temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Load-following operations of coal power plants are required to cope with the variability in power generation from renewable energy sources. This study aimed to optimize combustion in coal-fired power plants at low loads by analyzing combustion efficiency, NOx emissions, and ash deposition in a boiler. An experiment was conducted by varying the heat input in a bench-scale combustion system. The combustion performance, in terms of the CO concentration in combustion gas and unburned carbon content in ash, degraded during low-load operation. Consequently, the fuel ratio was found to be a key factor for determining the combustion efficiency during low-load operation. The nitrogen content of the fuel was dominant in terms of the NO conversion ratio. The inconsistency in the ash deposition tendency suggested that it was affected more by the composition of minerals than by the amount of ash or total feed rate of ash in coal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To overcome the limitations of NO2 electrochemical sensors, including their inaccurate measurements and short working life, when used around coal-fired power plants, we investigated the influence of coal-fired fly ash deposition on the measurement error of NO2 electrochemical sensors through experimental tests. The morphological characteristics and pellet diameter distribution of coal-fired fly ash pellets were determined via scanning electron microscopy. The sedimentation velocity of coal-fired fly ash pellets in the air was determined through theoretical calculations of aerodynamics and hydrodynamics. Additionally, the effect of the deposition of coal-fired fly ash on the measurement error of NO2 electrochemical sensors was determined through experimental tests. The test results show that the minimum and maximum measurement errors of the NO2 electrochemical gas sensor were 8.015% and 30.35%, respectively, after a deposition duration of 30 days with 30 mg/m3 coal-fired fly ash. This demonstrates that coal-fired fly ash deposition is the cause of the inaccurate measurements and short working life of these sensors. Coal-fired fly ash causes a decrease in the gas diffusion area of the sensor and the diffusion coefficient, thus increasing the sensor measurement error. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reliable and accurate determination of corrosive anions at sub- to low-μg/L levels is a challenging analytical problem. In this manuscript, a simultaneous determination method of cations and anions in power plant water samples was established by large volume injection ion chromatography. The analytical parameters including separation column, the suppressor current and the elute concentration were optimized. Results showed good separation under the optimum conditions, and the calibration curves of all analytes were linear with good coefficient of determination (r2) >0.997, and the mean recoveries for all analytes ranged from 75.62 to 118.58% with RSD of 0.07–4.83%. The established method was successfully applied to determine the cations and anions in realwaste water samples from coal-fired power, and was verified by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry and electrometric titration. The relative deviation between methods was all below 6.72%, which indicated good accuracy of the established ion chromatography method. The results could also provide reference for the precise and rapid detection of cations and anions in environmental water samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Offshore wind power integration is a grand challenge due to the volatility, randomness and intermittency This work presents a wind-thermal-electrolysis-battery (WTEB) hybrid energy system designed to integrate large-scale offshore wind energy and reduce curtailment. The system composes of offshore wind farms (OWF), thermal power plants (TPP), electrolysis station, battery bank. The Qingzhou (geographic name) I-VII offshore wind farms (5000 MW) and the Yangxi (geographic name) coal-fired power plant units #5, #6 (2 × 1240 MW) are taken as a case study. The OWF is the indispensable generator and the renewable fraction increases with integration level. The TPP adjusts the load ratio to meet the changing net load. The electrolysis station consumes the excess electricity and the battery bank time-shifts the electricity to reduce the electrolyzer downtime. The recommended wind-thermal (W-T) capacity ratio is 1.452:1 in the studied case, namely 3600 MW OWF. The WTEB system breaks the trade-off relationship between renewable fraction (50.11%) and curtailment rate (1.48%) compared to traditional wind-thermal (WT) bundled system. The WPEB system improves the electricity shortage rate (4.74%), transmission line capacity factor (61.79%), load following precision (91.79%). The internal rate of return (IRR), levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) of WTEB-W3600 are 34.70%, 0.5172 ¥/kWh, 29.76 ¥/kg. The WTEB hybrid energy system for a large-scale offshore wind power integration is first proposed and the techno-economic feasibility analysis proves the feasibility and forward-looking of the system. Collaborative capacity optimization of OWF, TPP, electrolysis station, battery can improve the system performance and economy. The wind-photovoltaic-thermal-electrolysis-battery (WPTEB) system co-locating the OWF and floating photovoltaic (PV) is an important development direction. Figure. Schematic of the wind-thermal-electrolysis-battery (WTEB) hybrid energy system in Yangjiang, China. [Display omitted] • WTEB enables a large-scale offshore wind power integration and curtailment reduction. • WTEB improves load following precision, electricity shortage and curtailment rate. • The wind-thermal (W-T) capacity ratio of the WTEB system is 1.452:1. • The electrolyzers and battery bank operate on the curtailed electricity. • The NPV, LCOE, IRR of WTEB-W3600 are 3.13 billion¥, 0.5172 ¥/kWh, 4.70%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An important method that coal-fired power plants use to realise low-cost zero discharge of desulfurisation wastewater (FGD wastewater) is to utilise wet slag removal systems. However, the high Cl− content of FGD wastewater in wet slag removal systems causes environmental damage. In this study, the corrosion behaviour of the inner guide wheel material, 20CrMnTi, was studied using dynamic weight loss and electrochemical methods. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy spectroscopy were used to analyse the organisational and phase changes on the surfaces and cross sections of the samples at different Cl− concentrations. The corrosion rate increased with the Cl− concentration up to 20 g/L, but it decreased slightly when the Cl− concentration exceeded 20 g/L. In all the cases, the corrosion rate exceeded 0.8 mm/a. The corrosion product film density initially increased and then decreased as the Cl− concentration increased. The corrosion products comprised mainly α-FeOOH, γ-FeOOH, β-FeOOH, Fe3O4, and γ-Fe2O3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even though there are numerous CO2 capture technologies (such as chemical and physical absorption), investigators are still trying to come up with novel methods that can minimize the energy requirements for their integration into thermal power plants, as well as the CAPEX and OPEX expenses. In this work, the technical and financial aspects of integrating two-stage polymeric membranes into a coal-fired power plant with a capacity of 330 MW were examined. The study researched the membrane post-combustion CO2 capture process utilizing CHEMCAD version 8.1 software with several parameters and an expander to decrease the total cost. The simulation showed promising results regarding reducing power consumption after using an expander for both a high capture rate (>90%) and a CO2 concentration of more than 95%. Thus, the CO2 captured cost decreased from 58.4 EUR/t (no expander) to 48.7 EUR/t (with expander). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the development process and key findings of the first-ever health impact assessment (HIA) conducted on the proposed Alpu coal-fired power plant (ACPP) in Eskisehir, Turkiye. The study followed a systematic HIA methodology, commencing with an extensive literature search on coal-fired power plants and the region’s specific characteristics during the screening step. In the subsequent scoping phase, in-depth discussions were conducted with a diverse range of experts and stakeholders to be used as inputs. The study findings highlight that the ACPP’s impact on human health will be multifaceted. In addition to the estimated additional 10,000 premature deaths attributed to air pollution during the 35-year, the ACPP is expected to have implications for occupational health, including increased occupational diseases and injuries. Furthermore, it may also affect income, employment, food access, and nutritional quality. The health implications of the ACPP will extend beyond Eskisehir, potentially affecting a region with a current population of approximately 11 million residents throughout its lifetime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper discusses the threat of decommissioning to the thermal power plant (TPP) heat exchanger tubes because of erosion and develops a computer-integrated control system (CICS) for the process of distribution of steam coal flows with different indicators of abrasive materials content, which is based on fuzzy logic. The problem of rapid decommissioning of TPP heat exchangers, particularly abrasive damage to furnace screen tubes, economizer, superheater, etc. This may indicate a discrepancy between the expected fuel ash content and the actual one, as well as a high content of abrasive impurities in steam coal. The work aims to develop a CICS of the wear resistance of the heat exchange surface of a steam boiler of a coal-fired power plant by measuring and fuzzy control of the content of abrasive impurities in steam coal. The problems of damage to the equipment of the TPP boiler are investigated, and a system for controlling the wear resistance of the surface by automatic fuzzy control of the quality of coal is developed. The results were investigated during coal preparation and combustion in the furnace of a thermal power plant to investigate the effectiveness of the proposed fuzzy controller. The model results confirm the feasibility of the fuzzy control method for the system with different coal quality parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the results of a study of the determinants of energy transformation of coal-dependent regions. The case study was on the region of Silesia. This region is the main producer of hard coal and coking coal in Poland, with nineteen mines and numerous coal-fired power plants. Silesia is highly industrialized and urbanized, contributing significantly to Poland’s GDP. However, it is also a leader in terms of methane and carbon dioxide emissions. The study used an approach based on Alvin L. Bertrand’s ‘stress-strain’ theory, to investigate the socio-cultural stresses emerging as a result of the interaction of external factors and internal process dynamics within the region itself. Then, using Marc Wolfram’s systems-based analytical framework approach, the current transformative capacity of Silesia was analyzed. The theoretical framework adopted assumes that socio-cultural stress can be inferred from past situations of tension, influencing the social structure of the region and shaping accepted patterns of adaptation to change. Socio-cultural stress emerges as a key determinant of a region’s coping strategy and shapes its ability to transform in the long term. The research approach presented in this article adopts a comprehensive framework that integrates socio-cultural, socio-ecological and technological dimensions, providing a holistic view of a region’s transformation challenges and opportunities. The research was conducted using focus group interviews and a structured interview questionnaire. Participants in the research were individuals representing a diverse community of experts and activists involved in the energy transition process in Silesia, including local government officials, businesses, professional associations and social activists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilizing oil palm trunk (OPT) residue as a co-fuel in coal-fired plants offers an environmentally favorable solution to agricultural waste disposal and fossil fuel combustion impacts. This study investigates the potential of hydrochar from OPT (HTC-OPT) as a coal-like solid fuel for co-combustion. The combustion characteristics of coal, HTC-OPT, and their blends (10–50% HTC-OPT) were analyzed via thermogravimetric analysis with heating rates ranging from 10 to 30°C/min. The Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO) and Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS) models were employed to explore co-combustion interactions and kinetic parameters. Results reveal enhanced combustion efficiency with HTC-OPT addition to coal. Higher HTC-OPT ratios correlate with increased maximum combustion rates, ignition and comprehensive combustibility indices, and decreased ignition and burnout temperatures. Additionally, blended fuels exhibit a proportionally synergistic co-combustion interaction. Both KAS and FWO models indicate similar trends in activation energies, with the lowest values (49.94 kJ/mol for KAS and 60.90 kJ/mol for FWO) at a 10% HTC-OPT ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out on an absorber in the body of flue gas desulphurization system (FGD) of a coal-fired power plant. In this study, efficiency losses caused by the clogging or breaking of the spray nozzles were examined. These abovementioned problems of spray nozzles are the most common among the many factors affecting the sulfur retention efficiency. Although energy and exergy analysis is very common to optimize the system efficiency of FGD units, failure of spray nozzles in absorbers might be the main reason in terms of low FGD units efficiency and low SO2 removal rates. In this study, firstly locations of clogged or damaged nozzles are determined by examining a total of 240 nozzles (3 × 80). After the replacement of the broken spray nozzles, increase in the efficiency of A-B, B-C, A-C and A-B-C spray lines were observed as 9.14%, 3.77%, 10.56%, 9.72%, respectively. Depending on the washing zone of the nozzles, if one nozzle is damaged, it causes the efficiency to decrease between 0.24% and 0.36%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address the problems of unclear assessment standards and incomplete assessment systems in the performance assessment of ultra-supercritical coal-fired power plants. This study utilized the running dataset from a 660 MW ultra-supercritical coal-fired power plant in Xinjiang, China. By combining the analytic hierarchy process and the entropy weight method, a system of assessment indicators was established that used three layers of criteria. A running line graph representing power plant performance and containing 149 moments was obtained, which provided a theoretical basis and optimization direction for improving the power plant. The results show that the 149 running states of the power plant performance are all at level I. The boiler running level had 143 moments (95.97%), the steam-turbine level had 135 moments (90.60%), the power consumption rate level had 148 moments (99.33%), and the environmental performance level had 143 moments (89.94%) of running states at level I [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accurate, repeatable, and verifiable measurement of SO3/H2SO4 is significant to the reliability operation of coal-fired power plants, as well as environment protection and human health. Although the amount of SO3 in flue gas is very small, and its chemical property is extremely active, the measurement of SO3/H2SO4 is difficult and problematic. The measurement errors of controlled condensation method for SO3/H2SO4 in flue gas were evaluated with a sampling system based on dilute sulfuric acid heating method. In order to improve the test accuracy of this method, the effects of water bath temperature, flue gas sampling flow rate, and spiral condensing tube structure parameters (inner diameter and length of spiral condensing tube) on the recovery efficiency of SO3/H2SO4 were investigated. The results indicate that the recovery efficiency fluctuates in the range between 84.1% and 91.6%, with the water bath temperature increasing from 40°C to 90°C. As the flue gas sampling flow rate increases from .5 L/min to 4 L/min, the recovery efficiency of SO3/H2SO4 shows a gradual tendency of increasing, and the recovery efficiency can be high up to 98.4%. When the inner diameter of the spiral condensing tube increases from 3 mm to 10 mm, the recovery efficiency of SO3/H2SO4 decreases gradually. The recovery efficiency of SO3/H2SO4 increases gradually with the spiral condensing tube length increasing from 900 mm to 2000 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy issues are becoming increasingly prominent, and biomass blending in coal-fired power plants can improve combustion performance and reduce gaseous pollutant emissions, thereby improving economic efficiency. In this study, a thermogravimetric analyzer, a horizontal tube furnace, and an infrared flue gas analyzer were used to investigate the combustion behavior and gaseous pollutant emissions of the co-combustion of LC and EW. The results show that blending EW into LC cofiring can inhibit the release of volatile matter and promote the decomposition of fixed carbon and lignin simultaneously. The HHV of EW (15.88 MJ/kg) reaches 63.7% of LC’s (24.90 MJ/kg), indicating EW has a high energy utilization value. With increasing combustion temperature, the average value of CRS increased from 47.09% to 59.94%, and the average value of CRCl increased from 26.15% to 52.15%, leading to a significant increase in SO2 and HCl emissions. The decrease in combustion temperature slightly promoted the release of N (CRN increased from 11.76% to 14.45%). The results of the economic analysis show that the cost of CaO and NH3·H2O used for removing gaseous pollutants decreased the most, and the economic efficiency increased the fastest to 14,000 RMB/day when the EW blending ratio increased from 10% to 20%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of renewable energy and the urgent need for global carbon emission reduction, virtual power plants have become a high-profile energy management model that can integrate multiple energy resources. How to effectively integrate renewable energy to reduce carbon emissions, how to optimize the use of different energy resources, and how to fairly distribute economic benefits within virtual power plant clusters while encouraging the reduction of carbon emissions are issues that need to be addressed in research. The study first established a virtual power plant model and conducted in-depth optimization for its economic and environmental indicators. Subsequently, the study constructed a game model within the virtual power plant cluster, aiming to solve the problem of income distribution in this diversified energy system. The research results found that commercial users have the highest carbon emissions, followed by industrial users, while residential users have the lowest carbon emissions. In terms of optimized user electricity consumption behavior, the peak-to-valley difference rate of industrial users has been reduced by 17%, and the daily load rate has increased by 6%; the peak-to-valley difference rate of commercial users has been reduced by 12%, and the daily load rate has increased by 6%; The peak-to-trough difference rate for residential users decreased by 8%, and the daily load rate increased by 4%. In addition, the research also proposes a method of internal revenue distribution of virtual power plant clusters based on a carbon reward and punishment mechanism, which provides a new way for the synergy effects and economic benefit distribution of virtual power plants. Research is of positive significance in solving pressing issues in the field of energy management and provides strong support for the development of future sustainable energy systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a high-resolution global emission catalogue of CO 2 and co-emitted species (NO x , SO 2 , CO, CH 4) from thermal power plants for the year 2018. The construction of the database follows a bottom-up approach, which combines plant-specific information with national energy consumption statistics and fuel-dependent emission factors for CO 2 and emission ratios for co-emitted species (e.g. the amount of NO x emitted relative to CO 2 : NOx/CO2). The resulting catalogue contains annual emission information for more than 16 000 individual facilities at their exact geographical locations. Each facility is linked to a country- and fuel-dependent temporal profile (i.e. monthly, day of the week and hourly) and a plant-level vertical profile, which were derived from national electricity generation statistics and plume rise calculations that combine stack parameters with meteorological information. The combination of the aforementioned information allows us to derive high-resolution spatial and temporal emissions for modelling purposes. Estimated annual emissions were compared against independent plant- and country-level inventories, including Carbon Monitoring for Action (CARMA), the Global Infrastructure emission Database (GID) and the Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR), as well as officially reported emission data. Overall good agreement is observed between datasets when comparing the CO 2 emissions. The main discrepancies are related to the non-inclusion of auto-producer or heat-only facilities in certain countries due to a lack of data. Larger inconsistencies are obtained when comparing emissions from co-emitted species due to uncertainties in the fuel-, country- and region-dependent emission ratios and gap-filling procedures. The temporal distribution of emissions obtained in this work was compared against traditional sector-dependent profiles that are widely used in modelling efforts. This highlighted important differences and the need to consider country dependencies when temporally distributing emissions. The resulting catalogue (10.24380/0a9o-v7xe, Guevara et al., 2023) is developed in the framework of the Prototype System for a Copernicus CO 2 service (CoCO2) European Union (EU)-funded project to support the development of the Copernicus CO 2 Monitoring and Verification Support capacity (CO2MVS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the development process and key findings of the first-ever health impact assessment (HIA) conducted on the proposed Alpu coal-fired power plant (ACPP) in Eskisehir, Turkiye. The study followed a systematic HIA methodology, commencing with an extensive literature search on coal-fired power plants and the region's specific characteristics during the screening step. In the subsequent scoping phase, in-depth discussions were conducted with a diverse range of experts and stakeholders to be used as inputs. The study findings highlight that the ACPP's impact on human health will be multifaceted. In addition to the estimated additional 10,000 premature deaths attributed to air pollution during the 35-year, the ACPP is expected to have implications for occupational health, including increased occupational diseases and injuries. Furthermore, it may also affect income, employment, food access, and nutritional quality. The health implications of the ACPP will extend beyond Eskisehir, potentially affecting a region with a current population of approximately 11 million residents throughout its lifetime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accumulation of uncollected fly ash from flue gas in post-combustion CO2 capture processes is a significant concern in current coal-fired power plants due to its potential impact on the performance of CO2 absorbent and absorption towers. In order to determine the effect of fly ash on the mass transfer performance of CO2 absorption into monoethanolamine (MEA) and diethanolamine (DEA) aqueous solutions, experimental studies were carried out using a small-sized packed tower equipped with θ-ring random packing. These studies were conducted under various operating parameters, including solution temperature, liquid/gas ratio (L/G), packing height, and fly ash concentration. The results show that the effect of fly ash on the outlet CO2 concentration was primarily observed during the initial stages of the experimental process. Moreover, the presence of fly ash leads to a reduction in the volumetric overall mass transfer coefficient (KGav) when using MEA and DEA solution, and increasing the fly ash concentration further exacerbates this negative impact. However, the effect of fly ash on the reduction in KGav is not significantly related to its chemical composition but rather depends on the operational parameters. With increasing solution temperature, liquid/gas ratio (L/G), and packing height, the KGav values for different solutions exhibit an upward trend. The negative effect of fly ash on KGav remains relatively stable for MEA as solution temperature and packing height increase. Compared to MEA, fly ash has a greater negative effect on DEA solution under the same experimental conditions. The analysis reveals that the detrimental effect of fly ash on KGav primarily stems from its ability to alter the distribution state of the absorption liquid within the packed tower. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]