Solar Coal Power

Why choose between solar and coal when you can use both?

Global Energy Production will increase dramatically by 2035, regardless of energy-efficiency improvements in developed economies.

1.5 billion people have no access to electricity, and 85% of the population in Africa don't yet have electricity. There is enormous unmet demand for access to electricity and clean energy.

In its annual Human Development Report, the UN Development Progamme (UNDP) said the UN has designated 2012 as the international year of sustainable energy for all. Read more on Health without energy? - Without clean, modern energy people's health can be severely affected

Consider a region perhaps in China or India that has a 600 Megawatt coal-fired power station, and it wants to double this generating capacity.

What do some of the options look like and how do they compare on cost and carbon dioxide emissions?

1. One option is to build another 600 Megawatt coal-fired power station.
2. Another option is to build a 600 Megawatt concentrated solar thermal power station with sufficient thermal energy storage to allow it to operate reliably overnight and after one or two cloudy days.
3. A further option is to replace the existing 600 Megawatt coal-fired power station with a 1200 Megawatt combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power station, and optionally generate the fuel for this power station using the coal supply from the existing 600 Megawatt coal-fired power station with a much smaller concentrated solar thermal (CST) field of heliostats.

For option 1, the coal supply has to be doubled, and CO2 emissions also double. CO2 emissions intensity is constant at 0.8 tonnes per Megawatt-hour.

For option 2, a very large and costly field of heliostats is needed. The thermal energy storage system for reliable operation overnight and after one or two cloudy days is a substantial proportion of the total cost, and even then does not provide reliable operation in periods of extended cloud cover. CO2 emissions remain constant, because the existing coal-fired power station continues operation as before. CO2 emissions intensity of the combined existing and new systems is halved to 0.4 tonnes per Megawatt-hour.

For option 3, a new combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power station is needed, and the existing coal-fired power station is decommissioned. The coal supply from the decommissioned power station is converted to Syngas using a much smaller field of heliostats. Some components of the decommissioned coal power station, such as the coal-handling equipment may be re-used. No thermal energy storage system is required: this need is met by storing Syngas for continuous power generation. CO2 emissions remain constant: the new power station is consuming the same quantity of coal as the existing coal power station it replaces. However it produces twice the amount of electrical energy so the CO2 emissions intensity is halved to 0.4 tonnes per Megawatt-hour. Note that the solar thermal gasification of coal in this option provides the same benefit as a Carbon Capture and Storage system that removes 50 percent of the CO2 emissions of a coal-fired power station.


Note: Option 3 achieves the same outcomes as option 2. That is, total electricity output capacity is doubled to 1200 Megawatts, CO2 emissions do not increase, no additional fossil fuel is needed, and CO2 emissions intensity is halved to 0.4 tonnes per Megawatt-hour.

Essentially these are two technologically different solutions with nearly identical economic and environmental benefits. (Option 3 overcomes criticism that solar energy sources are intermittent and hence unreliable without "backup" fossil fuel power plants.  Option 3 also eliminates toxic mercury and other emissions of the existing coal-fired power station that is retained in Option 2.)

The choice between options 2 and 3 can be based on a comparison of their cost and a consideration of the added benefits of option 3.

Coal-Fired Power Station (Option 1)

Assuming this power station achieves 40% thermal efficiency, with CO2 emissions of 0.8 tonnes per Megawatt-hour:

Input Thermal Energy from Coal: 1500 Megawatts per hour
Output Electrical Energy: 600 Megawatts per hour
CO2 Emissions: 480 tonnes per hour

Figure 1: Coal-fired Power Station Model

Concentrated Solar Thermal (CST) Power Station (Option 2)

Assuming this power station achieves 40% thermal efficiency, with zero CO2 emissions per Megawatt-hour:

Input Thermal Energy from Concentrated Solar Thermal (CST): 1500 Megawatts per hour
Output Electrical Energy: 600 Megawatts per hour
CO2 Emissions: 0 tonnes per hour

Figure 2: Concentrated Solar Thermal (CST) Power Station Model

Concentrated Solar Thermal (CST) Coal/Biomass Gasification (Option 3 - part 1)

Assuming this power station achieves 40% thermal efficiency, with zero CO2 emissions per Megawatt-hour:

Input Thermal Energy from Coal/Biomass: 1500 Megawatts per hour
Input Thermal Energy from Concentrated Solar Thermal (CST): 500 Megawatts per hour
Output Thermal Energy in Purified Syngas: 2000 Megawatts per hour (This is transferred to the Combined-Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) power station below - where it is used the generate electricity)
CO2 Emissions: 0 tonnes per hour

Figure 3: Concentrated Solar Thermal (CST) Coal/Biomass Gasifier

Combined-Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) Power Station (Option 3 - part 2)

Assuming this power station achieves 60% thermal efficiency, with CO2 emissions of 0.4 tonnes per Megawatt-hour:

Input Thermal Energy from Syngas/Natural Gas: 2000 Megawatts per hour (This is transferred from the Concentrated Solar Thermal (CST) Coal/Biomass Gasification plant above)
Output Electrical Energy: 1200 Megawatts per hour
CO2 Emissions: 480 tonnes per hour

Figure 4: Combined-Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) Power Station Model

For details of research on solar thermal gasification see this post on Concentrated Solar Thermal energy Meets Biomass CHP

Coal industry plays chicken to protect revenues

Coal Industry a threat to economic development

The coal industry wastes time and money researching inefficient power generation.
- and is trying to forget an established technology in use throughout the world. This technology results in fewer toxic emissions, less CO2 emissions, the ability to use cheaper coal and more efficient power generation.

The "problem" is that LESS coal is needed to produce the same amount of power.

The coal industry is now trying to stop the use of low-cost coal and cheaper, cleaner energy from coal.
This post describes one such effort: Latest Buzz... Coal leads EPA regulations - and then opposes them.

Less coal per megawatt-hour (MWH) - Cheaper energy

The National Coal Council in December 2008 published a report Advanced Coal Technologies: Greater Efficiency and Lower CO2 Emissions

Increased efficiency of power generation is the most predictable and cost effective method for CO2 emissions reduction.

In an existing coal-based plant without CCS, increased efficiency is the only practical method for mitigating CO2 emissions now, and it will be important for future plants equipped with CCS in order to reduce the energy impacts and costs of CO2 capture.

Gasification-based technologies convert coal to a synthesis gas (syngas) consisting mainly of CO and H2.The syngas is cleaned to remove contaminants before it is used as a fuel in a gas turbine. The hot exhaust gas from the gas turbine is used to produce steam in a heat recovery steam generator for a steam turbine-electric generator.

This combination of a gas turbine and steam turbine cycles is called combined cycle power generation. Integrating the coal gasification and combined cycle technologies, IGCC provides the benefits of using low-cost coal with the high efficiency of combined cycle power generation. Higher efficiency results in lower emissions per unit of electricity generated.

IGCC technology is being demonstrated in two plants in the U.S., two in Europe, and one in Japan. Industry standard designs are based on the use of eastern bituminous coal, although IGCC plants can be designed for a wide range of coals.

CO2 emissions fall as efficiency increases.
THIS MEANS LESS COAL PER MWH

More coal per megawatt-hour (MWH) - Expensive energy

On 20 December 2010 media reports disclosed:

“According to Peter Cook, chief executive of the Co-operative Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Technologies in Canberra, the research effort is swinging back in favour of capturing carbon emissions after the coal has been burned rather than trying to radically alter the coal itself before combustion. 'We are seeing that more conventional ways of making electricity are being looked at again for post-combustion capture,' Dr Cook said.”

Abbott: The Man without a Plan

Extract of Lisa Wilkinson Interview with Tony Abbott, Today Show

5 November 2012

No Plan

LISA WILKINSON:
A good proposal by the Government to bring those energy prices down?

TONY ABBOTT:
Well, this is a government which has presided over a massive increase in prices. Power prices are up 89 per cent since Kevin Rudd became Prime Minister and the carbon tax is now making a bad situation worse. I think if the Government was serious about bringing prices down, it wouldn't be lecturing the States about what they might do. It would be doing what it could do and that is getting rid of the carbon tax and that would instantly, on the Government's own figures, reduce prices by 10 per cent.

LISA WILKINSON:
But the truth is that the carbon tax is only contributing a small amount to those price rises. It's only been in since July 1 and for these proposals that the Government is putting forward to work, it does need cooperation from state governments to deregulate power prices. Now, Queensland Premier Campbell Newman has already said no. We're getting similar indications from the NSW Coalition Government. Is that because it's actually politically convenient to keep those prices high leading up to the Federal election and just keep blaming it on the carbon tax?

TONY ABBOTT:
No one wants to see prices high. Everyone wants to see prices down. But the most practical thing the Commonwealth could do right now to get power prices down is to take off the carbon tax and, you know, the whole point of the carbon tax, Lisa, is to raise power prices. The point I keep making is every time your power bill goes up, the Prime Minister has a smile on her face because that is the carbon tax just doing its job.

LISA WILKINSON:
Alright. Well, you've already promised that, should you be elected Prime Minister, you will get rid of that carbon tax.

That leaves you 79 per cent of those price rises you've got to play with. Can you guarantee that an Abbott government will bring energy prices down beyond taking off the carbon tax?

TONY ABBOTT:
Well, that's a very, very good start. That is a very good start and we would have the ACCC out there making sure that businesses did not profiteer once the carbon tax was off.

LISA WILKINSON:
Ok, but you still haven't answered my question. How much will you bring down energy prices beyond taking off the carbon tax?

TONY ABBOTT:
Well, we will do vastly better than the Labor Party, Lisa, because there will be no carbon tax under a government I lead…

LISA WILKINSON:
You're still not answering my question, Mr Abbott.

TONY ABBOTT:
But, Lisa, I'm saying there will be no carbon tax under a government I lead and when I say that, I'm telling the truth.

LISA WILKINSON:
So should I get from that that you don't actually have a plan on how to bring prices down beyond the carbon tax, beyond getting rid of the carbon tax, Mr Abbott?

TONY ABBOTT:
That's a very, very good start, Lisa.

LISA WILKINSON:
Ok, well, I'll have to take it that you don't have a plan. Unless you're going to put one forward, it doesn't look like you've got a plan, Mr Abbott.

TONY ABBOTT:
Lisa, the plan starts with getting rid of the carbon tax.
...
LISA WILKINSON:
Ok. Let's move on.

Update February 5, 2013

Tony Abbott's Plan - (No) Real Solutions

Unexpected Binding Energies

Anything special about 124.334 MeV binding energy?

Puzzling (from www.picgifs.com)

for 12 neutrons -

146	Tm + 12(	1	n) →	158	Tm + 124.334 MeV
69		0		69

and for 16 neutrons -

158	Tm + 16(	1	n) →	174	Tm + 124.334 MeV
69		0		69

and for these 12 neutrons -

99	In + 12(	1	n) →	111	In + 124.334 MeV
49		0		49

and for these 10 neutrons -

160	Ho + 10(	1	n) →	170	Ho + 124.334 MeV
67		0		67

and for these 18 neutrons -

133	Ce + 18(	1	n) →	151	Ce + 124.334 MeV
58		0		58

Why does 8.557 MeV binding energy occur in these 2 places?

For these 7 neutrons -

141	Sm + 7(	1	n) →	148	Sm + 7 x 8.557 MeV
62		0		62

and for these 4 protons -

141	Sm + 4(	1	p) →	145	Dy + 2 x 8.557 MeV
62		1		66

Exploding stars for soil moisture monitors

Public seminar

What can exploding stars tell us about soil moisture?

	When:	10:30 am, 16 November
	Where:	Christian Lab Clunies Ross Street Black Mountain ACT 2601
	Cost:	This event is free of charge; no RSVP required

The cosmic-ray probe is a emerging technique for the continuous monitoring of soil moisture at scales in the order of 40ha. The cosmic-ray probe counts fast neutrons that are produced as cosmic rays from exploding stars interact with the earth's atmosphere and soil. This presentation by CSIRO's Dr David McJannet will provide a basic introduction to the cosmic-ray soil moisture probe and how it works.
Enquiries: peter.hairsine@csiro.au or 02 6201 9462.

Having your air conditioner and low peak demand too

Thermal Energy Storage

Suppose you run an air conditioner that uses 4 kilowatt-hours electrical energy in peak periods and it moves 20 kWh of heat energy from inside your home to outside.

This result can also be achieved if the same air-conditioner "freezes" a liquid at, say, 15 degrees Celsius overnight and in peak period you melt the frozen chemical with 20 kWh of heat energy from inside our home. (eg. By using about 140 kg of potassium fluoride converted to 214 litres of potassium fluoride tetrahydrate.)

ABC TV's Catalyst aired a program in 2007 "Council House Two" on similar Phase Change Material (PCM) technology that is installed in an office building in Melbourne.

Extract from Transcript of a guided tour of this amazing building with the host of Catalyst, Dr. Graham Phillips:

Dr Graham Phillips: The air conditioning in this building is very different. We’ve all seen radiators, of course, that radiate heat. Well these things on the ceiling essentially do the opposite of that. Through the copper piping there runs chilled water cooled down to about 15 degrees Celsius and as that circulates around it essentially sucks the heat out of the room.
...
The system they use to chill the water for the air conditioning is ingenious. They’ve got three giant tanks like this filled with 10,000 stainless steel balls.

Here’s one of the balls. They’re normally sealed and inside there’s a special substance. They wouldn’t tell me what it was – a trade secret apparently. But it’s some sort of salt mixture that freezes at 15 degrees Celsius not zero like water ice. That means these balls are very easy to freeze: they require a very small amount of energy. So, on a hot day, water is flushed through the tanks, as the balls melt, they chill the water and that’s used in the air conditioning system.

Do "Time Of Use" (TOU) tariffs work?

Industry and business have had TOU tariffs for several years. A peak period cost of 26 cents per kWh can be cut by 20 cents per kWh to just 6 cents per kWh by moving the peak load required by air conditioning and refrigeration to off-peak periods.

The option for saving 20 cents per kWh, a whopping 75 percent of peak period energy costs, has not created any discernible action let alone excitement among Australia's business managers to date.

Example of Commercially Available Energy-Storage Air Conditioner System

The following animation is from the web site of Phase Change Products Pty Ltd (PCP).

What is Thermal Energy Storage (TES)?

TES is a simple technology based on storing thermal energy in a liquid, solid or phase change material (PCM). Stored energy in PCMs can come from a variety of sources: waste heat, excess refrigeration capacity, night-time refrigeration or co-generation facilities.
Energy is released when needed for air conditioning, process cooling, or process/space heating.

PCMs solidify inside a PCM-filled vessel with a heat exchanger, or PCM-filled spheres or cylinders contained installed in large tanks.

Thermal Energy Storage systems generate energy cost savings and environmental benefits by using low cost off-peak electrical energy. TES vessels can be installed in schools, hospitals, airports, office buildings, churches, sport facilities, government offices and industrial plants.

Thermal Energy Storage with Phase Change Material

A volume of material is used to store thermal energy while it changes from the solid phase to the liquid phase at a specific temperature. The phase change material (PCM) stores heat during the melting process and stores cold during the solidification process. A thermo fluid transfers the energy from the storage tank to a load (process, HVAC unit, etc.). The phase change Thermal Energy Storage unit may charge and discharge at the same time: the melting and solidification processes of the material may happen simultaneously.

Call for Abstracts! 2nd Australian Summer Study

CALL FOR PAPERS 2nd AUSTRALIAN SUMMER STUDY  ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY & DECENTRALISED ENERGY  27 FEB - 1 MARCH, 2013 NOVOTEL SYDNEY BRIGHTON BEACH CALL FOR PAPERS FOR THE 2013 SUMMER STUDY:  27 FEB – 1 MARCH NOVOTEL SYDNEY BRIGHTON BEACH Join this informal international knowledge exchange on energy efficiency, demand management, distributed energy and carbon mitigation. The Summer Study is a three day, residential event that brings together a cross-sectoral group of influential, highly engaged individuals that are open to sharing information. In 2013, the Summer Study will offer unparelleled access to global energy efficiency best practice. With 4 topic streams and tracks, 20 panel sessions and 8 informal roundtables, the program will provide a rich environment for information sharing. REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN Take advantage of the Early Bird Rate and register now for this leading, high-profile, international event. WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE? All energy efficiency, demand management and distributed energy practitioners and stakeholders from: • Government • Academics • NGOs • Energy Suppliers • End users - all sectors • Regulators • Media - as participants and reporters. WHAT MAKES THE SUMMER STUDY UNIQUE? The program balances structured presentations by international experts with informal working sessions while allowing ample time for networking and collaboration.  The relaxed, informal, live-in format allows for in-depth discussions to develop across the event.  Proven to be a great environment for cross fertilising ideas and making lasting connections. NEW IN 2013 • An entire track focussed on international perspectives which will include thought leaders from Asia Pacific, US and Europe. • The program has a strong focus on energy users with a track dedicated to best practice, improving energy management and opportunities in industry. • The number of  informal sessions has been doubled providing multiple opportunities to participate in the program. SPONSOR THE SUMMER STUDY AND GAIN HIGH PROFILE EXPOSURE AT THIS LANDMARK EVENT. Date: Wed 27 Feb - Fri 1 March, 2013 Location: Novotel Sydney Brighton Beach Link to online map 2012 Summer Study at a Glance: * 275 attendees * 18 countries * 100+ speakers * Senior, cross- sectoral audience Watch 2012 presentations by: * Steve Nadel,  American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy * Dr Wanxing Wang, The China Sustainable Energy Program * Lara Ettenson, Natural Resources Defense Counsel Follow us on Twitter

The Australian Alliance to Save Energy, Level 11, UTS Building 10, 235 Jones St, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Ph: 02 9514 2044