Contents

1.
Acknowledgement
.3
2.
Abstract
.............4
3.
Introduction
to
the
topic............5
a).
Demand
drivers...........
....5
B).
Demand
trends....
..6
4.Key
Challenges
for
thermal
power
plant.................9
5.
Solutions
to
Combat
the
Foregoing
Challenges....10
6. Impact of Coal Based Thermal Power Plant on Environment..
.........11
7.Fly
ash
..................12
8.Problems
associated
of
increasing
fly
ash13
9.
Conclusion

...15
10.Bibliography...........................................................................................................................
.............16

Acknowledgement

We are deeply indebted to Dr.B.K Saxena- Electrical Department for having allowed me to
carry out the project successfully. I specially thank Dr.B.K Saxena for his guidance.
We thanks our colleagues and friends for providing constant encouragement and help. Finally I
am grateful to my family for their normal support and understanding.

Abstract
In face of the likely doubling of the world population and perhaps tripling of the
power demand over the next 50 years, this paper presents some thoughts on the
possible ways to meet the power demands under the constraints of increased
population and land use while holding the environmental impact to a tolerable one,
and outlines the ways exergy analysis may be effectively used in the conception
and development of such processes. To effectively develop the innovative power
generation systems needed in the 21st century, irreversibility and exergy analysis
should be much more focused on the intrinsic process details.

Introduction
Electric power is the key to the economic development of the country. India currently has a peak
demand shortage of around 14% and an energy deficit of 8.4%. The utility electricity sector in
India had an installed capacity of 271.722 GW as of end March 2015. Renewable Power plants
constituted 28% of total installed capacity and Non-Renewable Power Plants constituted the
remaining 72%. The gross electricity generated by utilities is 1106 TWh (1106,000 GWh) and
166 TWh by captive power plants during the 2014 -15 fiscal. The gross electricity generation
includes auxiliary power consumption of power generation plants. India became the world's third
largest producer of electricity in the year 2013 with 4.8% global share in electricity generation
surpassing Japan and Russia.

Sources of electricity in India by Installed Capacity as of 2013

During the year 2014-15, the per capita electricity consumption in India was 1010 kWh with total
electricity consumption (utilities and non utilities) of 938.823 billion kWh. Electric energy
consumption in agriculture was recorded highest (18.45%) in 2014-15 among all countries. The
per capita electricity consumption is lower compared to many countries despite cheaper
electricity tariff in India.

Demand drivers

Of the 1.4 billion people of the world who have no access to electricity in the world, India
accounts for over 300 million. The International Energy Agency estimates India will add between
600 GW to 1,200 GW of additional new power generation capacity before 2050. This added new
capacity is equivalent to the 740 GW of total power generation capacity of European Union (EU27) in 2005. The technologies and fuel sources India adopts, as it adds this electricity
generation capacity, may make significant impact to global resource usage and environmental
issues..
In addition to air pollution problems, a 2007 study finds that discharge of untreated sewage is
single most important cause for pollution of surface and ground water in India. There is a large
gap between generation and treatment of domestic wastewater in India. The problem is not only

that India lacks sufficient treatment capacity but also that the sewage treatment plants that exist
do not operate and are not maintained. Majority of the government-owned sewage treatment
plants remain closed most of the time in part because of the lack of reliable electricity supply to
operate the plants. The wastewater generated in these areas normally percolates in the soil or
evaporates. The uncollected wastes accumulate in the urban areas cause unhygienic
conditions, release heavy metals and pollutants that leaches to surface and groundwater.
Almost all rivers, lakes and water bodies are severely polluted in India. Water pollution also
adversely impacts river, wetland and ocean life. Reliable generation and supply of electricity is
essential for addressing India's water pollution and associated environmental issues.

Demand trends

During the fiscal year 2014-15, the electricity generated in utility sector is 1,030.785 billion KWh
with a short fall of requirement by 38.138 billion KWh (-3.6%) against the 5.1% deficit
anticipated. The peak load met was 141,180 MW with a short fall of requirement by 7,006 MW (4.7%) against the 2.0% deficit anticipated. In a May 2015 report, India's Central Electricity
Authority anticipated, for the 201516 fiscal year, a base load energy deficit and peaking
shortage to be 2.1% and 2.6% respectively. Southern and North Eastern regions are anticipated
to face energy shortage up to 11.3%. The marginal deficit figures clearly reflect that India would
become electricity surplus during the 12th five-year plan period.
Despite an ambitious rural electrification programme,some 400 million Indians lose electricity
access during blackouts. While 80% of Indian villages have at least an electricity line, just
52.5% of rural households have access to electricity. In urban areas, the access to electricity is
93.1% in 2008. The overall electrification rate in India is 64.5% while 35.5% of the population
still live without access to electricity.

Electricity generation
India's electricity generation capacity additions from 1950 to 1985 were very low when
compared to developed nations. Since 1990, India has been one of the fastest growing markets
for new electricity generation capacity. India's electricity generation capacity has increased from
179 TW-h in 1985 to 1053 TW-h in 2012. India's Power Finance Corporation Limited projects
that current and approved electricity capacity addition projects in India are expected to add
about 100 GW of installed capacity between 2012 and 2017. This growth makes India one of
the fastest growing markets for electricity infrastructure equipment. India's installed capacity
growth rates are still less than those achieved by China, and short of capacity needed to ensure
universal availability of electricity throughout India by 2017.

Thermal power
Thermal power plants convert energy rich fuels such as coal, natural gas, petroleum products,
agricultural waste, domestic trash/waste, etc. into electricity. Other sources of fuel include
landfill gas and biogases. In some plants, renewal fuels such as biogas are co-fired with coal.
Coal and lignite accounted for about 60% of India's total installed capacity. Indias electricity
sector consumes about 72% of the coal produced in the country. India expects that its projected
rapid growth in electricity generation over the next couple of decades is expected to be largely
met by thermal power plants.

Coal supply constraints

A large part of Indian coal reserve is similar to Gondwana coal. It is of low calorific value and
high ash content. The carbon content is low in India's coal, and toxic trace element
concentrations are negligible. The natural fuel value of Indian coal is poor. On average, the
Indian power plants using India's coal supply consume about 0.7 kg of coal to generate a kWh,
whereas United States thermal power plants consume about 0.45 kg of coal per kWh. This is
because of the difference in the quality of the coal, as measured by the Gross Calorific Value
(GCV).

Key Challenges for thermal power plant

Fuel Security Concerns: Thermal capacity addition is plagued by the growing fuel availability
concerns faced by the Industry. While a significant gas based capacity of more than 20,000 MW
is idle due to non-availability of gas. Coal supplies by CIL is restricted to around 65% of actual
coal requirement by coal based thermal plants, leading to increased dependence on imported
coal with the cascading result of high power generation costs.
Financial Health of State Discoms: Years of populist tariff schemes, mounting AT&C losses
and operational inefficiencies have adversely affected the financial health of State Discoms
which are currently plagued with humongous out-standing debts.
Under-procurement of Power by States: Increasing power generation costs due to limited fuel
availability, poor financial health of State Discoms, high AT&C losses have contributed in
suppressed demand projections by State Discoms.
Inimical Financing Environment: Over the last 4-5 years, the leading rates have increased
significantly from the time of project appraisal resulting in project cost overrun and hence higher
end tariffs.
Policy Paralysis: The micro level policies governing the fuel cost pass-through, mega power
policy, competitive bidding guidelines are not in consonance with the macro framework like The
Electricity Act 2003 and the National Electricity Policy.

Solutions to Combat the Foregoing Challenges

Fuel Reforms: Various aspects like ramping up coal production by both public and private
sector in a time-bound manner, increased participation of private sector in coal production and
easing of regulatory framework, clearances and approvals for allocation and development of
coal blocks & gas infrastructure need to be addressed while formulating such reforms.
Arriving at an optimal fuel mix: There is a dire need to develop both conventional and nonconventional forms of energy, wherein, three key factors must be kept in view for developing an
energy mix: (i) the pattern of energy demand seen in the country (ii) the availability of fuels, and
(iii)fuel production and import costs. It would be effective to adopt coal thermal as a fundamental
component of the fuel mix for the next 20-30 years, with solar occupying 5-8 percent of the total
mix.
Balanced Regulatory Interventions: Regulators need to be sensitized to the challenges faced
by the sector and policy framework needs to be crafted and enforced to ensure a win-win
situation for all the stakeholders. They must pro-actively intervene to resolve the immediate
issues ailing the power sector
Increased Financing Facilities for Energy Sector: A robust and sustainable credit
enhancement mechanism for funding in Energy Sector needs to be put in place through
increased participation by global funding agencies like The World Bank, ADB etc. in the entire
value chain.

Impact of Coal Based Thermal Power Plant on Environment

Coal is the only natural resource and fossil fuel available in abundance in India. Consequently, it
is used widely as a thermal energy source and also as fuel for thermal power plants producing
electricity. Power generation in India has increased manifold in the recent decades to meet the
demand of the increasing population2. Generating capacity has grown many times from
1362MW in 1947 to 147,403MW (as on December 2008). India has about 90,000 MWe installed
capacity for electricity generation, of which more than 70% is produced by coal- based thermal
power plants. The only fossil fuel available in abundance is coal, and hence its usage will keep
growing for another 23 decades at least till nuclear power makes a significant contribution. The
coal available in India is of poor quality, with very high ash content and low calorific value, and
most of the coal mines are located in the eastern part of the country.
Whatever good quality coal available is used by the metallurgical industry,like steel plants. The
coal supplied to power plants is of the worst quality. Some of the coal mines are owned by
private companies, and they do not wish to invest on quality improvement. Combustion process
converts coal into useful heat energy, but it is also a part of the process that produce greatest

environmental and health concerns. Combustion of coal at thermal power plants emits mainly
carbon dioxide (CO2), sulphur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx); CFCs other trace gases
and air borne inorganic particulates, such as fly ash and suspended particulate matter (SPM).
CO2, NOx and CFCs are greenhouse gases (GHGs) High ash content in Indian coal and
inefficient combustion technologies contribute to Indias emission of air particulate matter and
other trace gases, including gases that are responsible for the greenhouse effect.

The present coal consumption in thermal power station in India results in adding ash estimated
12.21 million tons fly ash in to the environment a year of which nearly a third goes in to air and
the rest is dumped on land or water .in spite of various research results a consistent utilization is
not evident, and it expected that stocks piles of fly ash will continue to grow with the increasing
number of super thermal power station in India. As reliance upon coal as a fuel source
increases .This large quantities of this material will be increasingly brought into contact with the
water and soil environment.
Problems associated of increasing fly ash India has about 211 billion tons of coal reserves,
which is known to be the largest resource of energy and presently 240MT of coal is being used
annually to meet the Nations electricity demand. In terms of energy, India stands at world sixth
position accounting 3.5% of the world commercial energy demand in 2001, but the electricity
generation yet not completely fulfilled the present requirement. Environmental pollution by the
coal based thermal power plants all over the world is cited to be one of the major sources of
pollution affecting the general aesthetics of environment in terms of land use, health hazards
and air, soil and water in particular and thus leads to environmental dangers. Fly ash water also
affects the scale structure because itis a directly in contact with water. Heavy metals can also
adversely affect the growth rate in major carps5. Coal combustion residues (CCRs) are a
collective term referring to the residues produced during the combustion of coal regardless of
ultimate utilization or disposal. It includes fly ash, bottom ash, boiler slag, and fluidized bed
combustion ash and other solid fine particles4,6. In India, presently coal based thermal power
plants are releasing 105MT of CCRs which possesses major environmental problems.
Presently from all these thermal power plants, dry fly ash has been collected through
Electrostatic Precipitator (ESP) in dry condition as well as pond ash from ash ponds in semi-wet
condition. In India most of the thermal. power plants do not have the facility for automatic dry
ash collection system. Commonly both fly ash and bottom ash together are discharged as slurry
to the ash pond/lagoon these affect on environment, economy, and social factor.

Carbon footprints in various economies

Source-Human Development Report 2012.

Fly Ash
The present coal consumption in thermal power station in India results in adding ash estimated
12.21 million tons fly ash in to the environment a year of which nearly a third goes in to air and
the rest is dumped on land or Water in spite of various research results a consistent utilization is
not evident, and it expected that stocks piles Of fly ash will continue to grow with the increasing
number of super thermal power station in India. As reliance upon coal as a fuel source
increases, this large quantities of this material will be increasingly brought into contact with the
water and soil environment.

Problems associated of increasing fly ash

India has about 211 billion tons of coal reserves, which is known to be the largest resource of
energy and presently 240MT of coal is being used annually to meet the Nations electricity
demand. In terms of energy, India stands at world sixth position accounting 3.5% of the world
commercial energy demand in 2001, but the electricity generation yet not completely fulfilled the
present requirement. Environmental pollution by the coal based thermal power plants all over
the world is cited to be one of the major sources of pollution affecting the general aesthetics of
environment in terms of land use, health hazards and air, soil and water in particular and thus
leads to environmental dangers[4]. Fly ash water also affects the scale structure because it is a
directly in contact with water. Heavy metals can also adversely affect the growth rate in major
carps[5]. Coal combustion residues (CCRs) are a collective term referring to the residues
produced during the combustion of coal regardless of ultimate utilization or disposal. It includes
fly ash, bottom ash, boiler slag, and fluidized bed combustion ash and other solid fine particles
[6]. In India, presently coal based thermal power plants are releasing 105MT of CCRs which
possess major environmental problems [7]. Presently from all these thermal power plants, dry
fly ash has been collected through Electrostatic Precipitator (ESP) in dry condition as well as
pond ash from ash ponds in semi-wet condition. In India most of the thermal power plants do
not have the facility for automatic dry ash collection system.

Fly Ash Mitigation Measure

Fly ash is fine glass powder, the particles of which are generally spherical in shape and range
from 0.5 to 100 micron in size. The fine particles of fly ash reach the pulmonary region of the
lungs and remain there for long periods of time; they behave like cumulative poisons. The
submicron particles enter deeper into the lungs and are deposited on the alveolar walls where
the metals could be transferred to the blood plasma across the cell membrane fly ash can be
disposed-off in a dry or wet state. Studies show that wet disposal of this waste does not protect
the environment from migration of metal into the soil. Heavy metals cannot be degraded
biologically into harmless products like other organic waste. Studies also show that coal ash
satisfies the criteria for landfill disposal, according to the Environmental Agency of Japan.
According to the hazardous waste management and handling rule of 1989, fly ash is considered
as non-hazardous. With the present practice of fly-ash disposal in ash ponds (generally in the
form of slurry), the total land required for ash disposal would be about 82,200 ha by the year
2020 at an estimated 0.6 ha per MW. Fly ash can be treated as a by-product rather than waste

Environmental Impact of Fly Ash Usage

Utilization of fly ash will not only minimize the disposal problem but will also help in utilizing
precious land in a better way. Construction of road embankments using fly ash, involves
encapsulation of fly ash in earthen-core or with RCC facing panels. Since there is no seepage of
rain water into the fly ash core, leaching of heavy metals is also prevented. When fly ash is used
in concrete, it chemically reacts with cement and reduces any leaching effect. Even when it is
used in stabilization work, a similar chemical reaction takes place which binds fly ash particles.
Hence chances of pollution due to use of fly ash in road works are negligible

Energy Saving and Environmental Benifits

Most of the developing countries face energy scarcity and huge housing and other infrastructure
shortage. Ideally in these countries materials for habitat and other construction activities should
be energy efficient (having low energy demand). The following table shows some examples of
energy savings achieved through the use of Fly Ash in the manufacture of conventional building
materials.

Conclusion
Coal is used widely as a thermal energy source in thermal power plant for production of
electricity but available coal in India is of poor quality, with very high ash content and low
calorific value. Utilization of huge amount of coal in thermal power plant has created several
adverse effects on environment leading to global climate change and fly ash management
problem. Coal based thermal power plants all over the world is cited to be one of the major
sources of pollution affecting the general aesthetics of environment in terms of land use, health
hazards and air, soil and water in particular and thus leads to environmental dangers. So, the
disposable management of fly ash from thermal power plant is necessary to protect our
environment. It is advisable to explore all possible application for fly ash utilization. Several
efforts are needed to utilize fly ash for making bricks, in manufacture of cement, ceramics etc.
Various governmental and nongovernmental bodies working in the field of utilization of fly ash
for construction of road/road embankment The utilization of fly ash gives good result in almost
every aspects including good strength, economically feasible and environmental friendly.

Bibliography

www.crridom.gov.in/techniques-facilities/10.pdf
http://www.teriin.org
korba.gov.in/kwflyash.htm
Fly Ash Mission, (TIFAC), Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science
and Technology, Government of India, Technology.
www.wealthywaste.com/fly-ash-utilization-in-india
http://crisil.com/index.jsp