How is the new standard approaching the transformation of power plants?

On March 18, Huaneng Group held the 2014 Environmental Protection Working Conference and deployed the key environmental protection work in 2014. Among them, "advance planning and deployment of environmental protection design standards, and constantly optimize the transformation of design programs, to meet the new emissions standards with the best technical and economic indicators." In addition, just after the end of the national two sessions this year, the next day, March 13 On the day, China Power Investment Group held a video and telephone conference on safety and environmental protection in 2014, and made several key deployments for this year's environmental protection work. It calls for "strengthening environmental protection work and resolutely accomplish the task of reducing emissions."

Time is tight and the task is heavy

From July 1 this year, the “Emission Standard of Air Pollutants for Thermal Power Plants (2011)” will be formally implemented. Because the new standard limit is extremely stringent, this standard has also been dubbed "the strictest in history" by the industry. In addition, for key areas, in order to prevent and control regional air pollution, improve environmental quality, further reduce the emission intensity of air pollution sources, and more stringently control the emission behavior, the new standard also specifically establishes “Special Emission Limits for Air Pollutants”. Has reached the international advanced or leading degree.

The data shows that the capacity of active coal-fired units covered by special limits in the new standard will reach 190 million kilowatts. In addition, according to the requirements of the State Council's government work report in 2014, this year China will phase out 50,000 small coal-fired boilers, promote 15 million kilowatts of desulphurization for coal-fired power plants, convert 130 million kilowatts of denitrification, and transform 180 million kilowatts of dust removal. Based on this estimation, the denitrification and dust removal unit capacity will exceed 10 million kilowatts per month.

According to Zhu Yongzheng, former general manager of Guodian Corporation, Zhejiang Province has proposed that “coal-fired power plants must meet the emission levels of gas-fired power plants.” Zhejiang requires coal-fired power plants to achieve 5 mg/m3 of dust and 35 mg/m3 of sulphur dioxide. Nitrogen oxides reach 50 mg/m3. Recently, Zhejiang will put into operation three thermal power plants, which must reach this level. In fact, the emission standards set by the new standards for special areas are only 20, 50, and 100 mg/m3 respectively.

Should be rewarded and punished

For the above “fired power plants to achieve the emission levels of gas-fired power plants”, Zhu Yong-tzu believes that “if the above standards are met, it is basically the level of gas-fired power plants. Many problems are solved. This is a very attractive slogan. The entire environmental protection field of the power industry has been driven by leaps and bounds.” According to him, technically speaking, it is also feasible to reach the level of gas-fired power plants. “Some power plants of Guodian Group in Jiangsu Province have already reached this level,” he said.

How to mobilize the enthusiasm of enterprises to reduce emissions? Zhu Yongxin believes that on the one hand, it is possible to adopt a push mechanism, such as the recent proposed dust emission for coastal areas to reach 20 mg/m3. “More stringent emission standards will also give rise to the development of a large number of related markets, such as dust removal technologies, catalysts, etc.” On the other hand, “This requires policy support, such as subsidies for some units is not enough.” According to Zhu Yongzheng Currently, the national subsidy standard for desulfurization is 1.5 points per kilowatt-hour, 2 points for individual regions such as Guizhou and Chongqing, and 1 point for denitrification. “Denitrification subsidies are generally not enough. Desulfurization is better for large units, but for small units it is still a little worse.”

At the same time, the data show that according to the preliminary calculation of new emission limits, 190 million kilowatts of active coal-fired generating units in key areas need to be transformed into dust removal, desulfurization, and denitrification systems, and investment of 54 billion yuan is needed. After these facilities are put into operation, they will also increase operating costs by 13 billion yuan each year. In this regard, Chen Tang, chairman of Datang Group, believes that “the support for the environmental protection of thermal power companies should be strengthened”. He suggested that comprehensive consideration should be given to the capabilities of power generation companies in terms of capital, technology, and talents, scientifically establish emission standards, rationally arrange time limits for governance, increase financial support for the construction of environmental protection facilities, and prevent changes due to lack of capacity and overtime. Safety, quality and effectiveness.

Denitrification transformation is in full swing

With the approaching date of the new standard approaching, what is the progress of the environmental protection transformation of the power plant?

In the course of the reporter’s visit to several power plants, the power plants all expressed that despite the difficulties faced by various funds and sites, they are still full of confidence in completing desulphurization, denitrification and dust removal on time. At present, a number of power plants are also in full swing to carry out relevant transformation.

For example, in an interview with a large-scale power plant put into production in Central China in 2008, the factory's employees stated that the power plant was in a state of high coal prices when it was put into operation, resulting in extremely difficult operations and losses for four or five consecutive years; in addition, “at the time of power plant planning and construction China has not made clear the requirements for denitrification. Although we have left room for transformation, we must reform it just a few years after it has been put into operation. If the country formulates a long-term, phased transformation plan, the situation may be better." “However, in the face of serious air pollution problems, the above severe emission reduction policies are also understandable. Coal-fired power companies are also obliged in this respect. Now the power plant is denitrifying the last unit, and it is estimated that it will take 45 days. This will ensure compliance with the new standards before implementation in July this year."

On March 26, the relevant person in charge of the Qinbei Power Plant under the Guizhou Power Group of Guizhou Power Investment Group stated to the reporter: “Our factory has a total of four sets of 300,000 kilowatts of generating units, of which the conversion of Units 1 and 2 was completed in 2013 and is now on the 3rd. The unit will be rebuilt, and Unit 4 will be reconstructed after the completion of the No. 3 transformation, that is, the plan will be carried out in June this year.The power plant will be carried out strictly in accordance with the relevant national plans, and it is expected that all denitrification renovations of the 4 units will be completed by the end of September. Ensure that new emission standards are met."