Sustainable Fossil Fuel Power Plant
Anderson Sean, Marshall Herry, Darien Manuel, Muhd Irfan, Mohd Rafiq
Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Sabah.
ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT
1. Introduction
Climate change is a major
global challenge caused by increasing
levels of greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere (IPCC, 2013). Human
activities, including the burning of
fossil fuels and deforestation, are the
primary drivers of climate change
(IPCC, 2013). Fossil fuels, including
coal, oil, and natural gas, have been a
key source of energy for human
society for centuries (Bourg et al.,
2021). However, their use also has
significant negative impacts on the
environment and human health,
including the contribution to climate
change and air pollution (Burney et al.,
2009). The combustion of fossil fuels
releases greenhouse gases into the
atmosphere, which contribute to the
warming of the Earth's surface and
atmosphere (Burney et al., 2009).
These emissions have been linked to a
range of negative impacts, including
more frequent heatwaves, droughts,
and extreme weather events such as
floods and storms (IPCC, 2013). In
addition, the use of fossil fuels has
negative impacts on air quality and
human health (Landrigan et al., 2020).
A study by the New England Journal of
Medicine (Landrigan et al., 2020)
found that the combustion of fossil
fuels is responsible for a significant
portion of premature deaths globally.
Given the negative impacts of
fossil fuels on the environment and
human health, it is important to
transition towards more sustainable
energy sources (EESI, 2021).
Renewable energy sources, such as
solar, wind, and hydroelectric power,
offer a cleaner and more sustainable
alternative to fossil fuels (EESI, 2021).
In order to transition towards a more
sustainable energy system, it is
necessary to implement policies and
technologies that reduce the use of
fossil fuels and promote the adoption
of clean energy (UNEP, 2017).
2. Environmental pollution caused by
fossil fuels in power plants
One of the main environmental
implications of fossil fuel power plants
is the production of greenhouse gas
emissions. Carbon dioxide (CO2) and
other greenhouse gases are released
into the atmosphere as a result of
burning fossil fuels. Due to these
gases' capacity to store solar heat, the
Earth's surface temperature rises. This
process is the greenhouse effect, a
phenomenon that occurs naturally and
maintains the world warm and
habitable. However, the burning of
fossil fuels has greatly increased the
levels of greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere, leading to a sharp
increase in global temperatures
(Armaroli, 2011).
Fossil fuel power plants are a
significant source of greenhouse gas
emissions since they generate a
considerable portion of the world's
electricity. 2019 saw the production of
about 66% of the world's electricity
come from fossil fuels, mostly coal, oil,
and natural gas. The main contributor
to climate change is CO2, which is
emitted when fossil fuels are burned
(Rubin, 2005).
A local environment can be
impacted by fossil fuel power plants in
addition to contributing to global
warming. One of the major problems
is air pollution, which can be caused
by the release of particulate matter,
sulphur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides
into the environment. Both adverse
impacts on human health, such as
respiratory and cardiovascular
problems, as well as negative effects
on the environment, such as acid rain
and a reduction in air quality, can
result from these pollutants (Perera,
2018).
Water supplies may potentially
be impacted by fossil fuel power
plants. For instance, water-intensive
coal-fired power plants can deplete
nearby water supplies by using a lot of
water for cooling. Additionally, these
power plants produce waste materials
like coal ash and other by-products
that, if improperly managed, can
contaminate water supplies.
Overall, it is evident that fossil
fuel power plants have a variety of
detrimental environmental effects,
both locally and globally. Even if these
power plants are a significant source
of electricity, it is crucial to take action
to lessen their negative effects and
make the switch to more sustainable
energy sources. This could mean using
renewable energy sources like wind
and solar power or adopting carbon
capture and storage technology to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions from
fossil fuel power plants
(Mukhopadhyay, 2005).
3. Using fossil fuel efficiently in
power plants
Fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and
natural gas, have long been the
primary source of energy for power
generation, but their use has
significant environmental impacts,
including the emission of greenhouse
gases that contribute to climate
change (Ahmad et al., 2016). As the
world looks to transition towards a
more sustainable energy system, it is
important to find ways to use fossil
fuels more efficiently and reduce their
impact on the environment (Edenhofer
et al., 2016). One way to use fossil
fuels more efficiently in power plants is
through the use of advanced
technologies and practices (EESI,
n.d.). For example, the use of
combined-cycle power plants, which
combine a gas turbine with a steam
turbine, can significantly increase the
efficiency of natural gas power plants
(RoomDoc Baseline EE & Power Plants
DRAFT, n.d.). These power plants have
an efficiency of around 60%,
compared to around 40% for
traditional gas-fired power plants
(Nguyen et al., 2020). Similarly, the
use of advanced coal-fired power
plants, such as supercritical and ultra
supercritical plants, can also improve
the efficiency of coal-fired power
generation (Singh et al., 2018). These
plants operate at higher temperatures
and pressures than traditional
coal-fired power plants, which allows
them to achieve higher efficiencies and
reduce greenhouse gas emissions
(Ibrahim et al., 2016). Another way to
use fossil fuels more efficiently is
through the integration of renewable
energy sources (The Future of Fossil
Fuels, 2017). By using fossil fuels in
combination with renewable energy
sources, such as solar and wind power,
it is possible to reduce the overall
greenhouse gas emissions of the
power system (Ibrahim et al., 2016).
This approach is known as "hybrid" or
"multi-fuel" power generation and has
been successfully implemented in a
number of countries (Nguyen et al.,
2020). For example, a hybrid power
plant might use natural gas as a base
load, while also incorporating solar
panels or wind turbines to provide
additional electricity when renewable
resources are available. This approach
can help to balance the intermittent
nature of renewable energy sources
and ensure a reliable supply of
electricity.
Carbon capture and storage
(CCS) is a technique that captures
carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from
power plants and other industrial
sources, transports them, and stores
them in underground geological
formations instead of releasing them
into the atmosphere. The aim of CCS
is to reduce the amount of CO2 in the
atmosphere and mitigate the impacts
of climate change. CCS can be used
with fossil fuel power plants to
decrease their greenhouse gas
emissions. In this case, the CO2
produced by the power plant is
captured before it is emitted into the
atmosphere and stored underground,
thereby reducing the carbon footprint
of the power plant and making it a
cleaner source of energy. There are
several methods for capturing CO2
from power plants, including
post-combustion capture,
pre-combustion capture, and oxyfuel
combustion. Each method has its own
advantages and challenges, and the
most appropriate method will depend
on the specific characteristics of the
power plant (National Grid, n.d.)
Overall, there are various
options for using fossil fuels more
efficiently in power plants. By
implementing advanced technologies,
integrating renewable energy sources,
and implementing policy measures, it
is possible to reduce the environmental
impacts of fossil fuel use and move
towards a more sustainable energy
system (Ibrahim et al.,2016; Singh et
al., 2018).
4. Fossil-fuel alternatives
4.1. Hydrogen as a fossil-fuel
alternative
Hydrogen is an alternative to
fossil fuels that power plants can use
to create a green environment. As an
alternative to fossil fuels, hydrogen
can be utilised in power plants as a
fuel cell to produce electricity. Not only
It is a clean-burning fuel that only
emits water as a byproduct,
combustion of hydrogen results in zero
carbon emissions (Marchenko &
Solomin, 2015). Despite its
abundance, hydrogen does not exist
on Earth because it must be separated
from its paired molecules. Fortunately,
it can also be produced using other
energy sources, such as renewables or
natural gas (Goldmeer, 2021).
Large amounts of hydrogen are
rarely found in nature because it is
mostly found in compounds with other
elements as liquids, gases, or solids.
Hydrogen can be produced using a
range of renewable energy sources.
The first form of energy that can be
used is electrolysis, which breaks down
water molecules into their constituent
parts. Second, biomass is
thermochemically or biochemically
converted, yielding compounds that
can be reformed into hydrogen. Last
but not the least is the solar
conversion process, which employs
thermolysis to produce hydrogen at
high temperatures via chemical cycles
(Campbell, 2020). Next is production
of hydrogen through natural gases. In
the presence of a catalyst, natural gas
(typically methane) reacts with high
pressure of steam to produce a
mixture of hydrogen and carbon
monoxide. In order to reduce the
contents of carbon monoxide which is
the main cause of greenhouse gases,
it is further filtered and processed so
that it consists primarily of hydrogen
gas (Campbell, 2020).
Because of the complexities
involved in producing hydrogen, it
appears impossible and unlikely that a
power plant using hydrogen as a fuel
cell will exist. Fortunately, Siemens
Energy, a well-known energy
development company, has developed
a project known as the Zero Emission
Hydrogen Turbine Center. In this
turbine centre, hydrogen is produced
in an electrolyzer by using excess
energy from gas turbines and
electricity from solar panels. The
energy is stored in the form of
compressed hydrogen and in batteries
(Siemens Energy, n.d. ).
4.2. Nuclear energy
Besides hydrogen, nuclear
energy can also be used to replace
fossil fuel in power plants. Nuclear
power plants do not produce
greenhouse gases or other air
pollutants, which makes them a
cleaner and safer alternative to fossil
fuel power plants (Lenzen, 2008).
Nuclear power plants also have a very
high capacity factor, meaning they are
able to operate at a high level of
reliability for long periods of time. This
makes them a more reliable source of
energy compared to fossil fuels, which
can be subjected to disruptions due to
factors such as weather and fuel
availability.
In a nuclear power plant,
nuclear fuel is loaded into a reactor
core in the form of fuel rods. Nuclear
fuel is a type of material that is used
as a source of energy in nuclear power
plants. These fuel rods are usually
made out of a radioactive element,
such as uranium or plutonium. When
one of these elements is struck by a
neutron, it will cause the nucleus to
split into two smaller nuclei. This
process is called nuclear fission and it
produces energy (Bohr & Wheeler,
1939).
The energy from the fission
process is used to heat water, which is
used to produce steam. The steam
drives a turbine, which is connected to
a generator. The turbine generator in a
nuclear power plant typically consists
of one or more steam turbines and an
electrical generator. The steam turbine
is a mechanical device that converts
thermal energy from the steam
produced in the reactor into
mechanical energy, which is then used
to turn the generator and produce
electricity. The electrical generator
converts the mechanical energy from
the turbine into electrical energy
(Zohuri & McDaniel, 2019). The
electrical energy produced is then
transmitted to the power grid and
distributed to homes and businesses.
5. Conclusion
In conclusion, using alternative
energy such as hydrogen to replace
fossil fuels has the potential to
contribute to reducing poverty and
promoting shared prosperity for the
global population. It can create new
job opportunities and stimulate
economic growth, while also making
energy more affordable and accessible,
particularly in developing countries.
The use of hydrogen would
undoubtedly aid the community in
meeting its decarbonization targets
and accelerating the transition from
fossil fuels to a low-carbon energy
future. It can also generate electricity
with lower emissions per kWh and is a
completely future-proof power plant.
While the relationship between energy
transitions and poverty
reduction/shared prosperity is
complex, the use of hydrogen as a
clean and renewable energy source
has the potential to contribute to these
goals in a sustainable way.
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 MINUTES OF MEETING
SUSTAINABLE FOSSIL FUEL POWER
PLANT
PURPOSE MEETING OF MINI PAPER GROUP ASSIGNMENT
GROUP 5
MEETING CHAIR Irfan
DATE 6 January 2023 TIME 7 PM VENUE Google Meet
SECRETARY Rafiq
ATTENDEES 1. Anderson
2. Marshall
3. Rafiq
4. Irfan
5. Darien

DISCUSSION/AGENDA 1. Finalizing the article's content. Making certain that the introduction, abstract, discussion, and conclusion are
all relevant to the topic of sustainable fossil fuel power plants.
2. Ensuring that the references in the APA citation and all citations in the article are in the correct order
3. Discussing each section of the article to ensure there are no spelling or grammar errors
4. Putting each word in a column so that it looks like an article
5. Making sure that it does not reaches the maximum pages required by the criteria of the assignment
6. Ensuring that the contents (Abstract, Introduction, Discussion, Conclusion and References) in the article is
neat
7. Irfan and Rafiq ensured that the conclusion and introduction is in line with all the contents in the article.
TIME KEEPER Anderson
MEETING ADJOURNED 9.30 PM
 MINUTES OF MEETING
SUSTAINABLE FOSSIL FUEL POWER
PLANT
PURPOSE MEETING OF MINI PAPER GROUP ASSIGNMENT
GROUP 5
MEETING CHAIR Anderson
DATE 27 December 2022 TIME 5 PM VENUE Foyer FKJ
SECRETARY Irfan
ATTENDEES 1. Anderson
2. Marshall
3. Rafiq
4. Irfan
5. Darien

DISCUSSION/AGENDA 1. Assigning work to each member; Introduction, Abstract, Discussion and Conclusion.
2. Discussing the article's contents, which must include a) environmental pollution caused by fossil fuels in
power plants, b) the use of fossil fuels in power plants, and c) fossil-fuel alternatives (hydrogen and nuclear
energy)
3. Darien writes about the pollution caused by fossil fuels in the environment. Anderson discusses hydrogen,
while Marshall discusses nuclear energy.
4. Rafiq and Irfan chose to write the abstract, introduction, and conclusion.
5. The topics covered included environmental pollution caused by fossil fuels and alternatives to fossil fuels in
power plants in order to accelerate decarbonization.
6. To ensure that the article is properly finished, all work must be completed by January 6th.
TIME KEEPER Rafiq

TIME ADJOURNED 4 PM
 MINUTES OF MEETING
SUSTAINABLE FOSSIL FUEL POWER
PLANT
PURPOSE MEETING OF MINI PAPER GROUP ASSIGNMENT
GROUP 5
MEETING CHAIR Marshall
DATE 3 January 2023 TIME 6 PM VENUE Google Meet
MINUTES ISSUED BY Darien
ATTENDEES 1. Marshall Herry
2. Muhd Irfan
3. Mohd Rafiq
4. Anderson Sean

DISCUSSION/AGENDA 1. Before commencing on the work, Anderson texted Dr. Suffian on WhatsApp to discuss whether the points
which was discussed at the first meeting are relevant to the topic.
2. After Dr. Suffian’s approval, the work commenced.
3. One of the group members, Darien, was absent due to health reasons. Darien went to clinic but still
provided ideas later that day through Whatsapp chat.
4. Everyone shared their findings on how fossil fuels power plants are bad for the environment.
5. Anderson and Marshall shared their findings on the alternatives of fossil fuels and explained it to the group
members.
6. The group members agreed with the alternatives and looked for more articles related to them.
7. Meeting was ended with new tasks for everyone to complete before next meeting commences.

TIME KEEPER Irfan

MEETING ADJOURNED 7.30 PM

EVIDENCE OF SECOND MEETING
EVIDENCE OF THIRD MEETING