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Africa's energy demand keeps rising, and coal power stations remain in the energy mix of the African continent. Although renewable energy is making strides, coal plants provide firm baseload generation, especially in areas where infrastructure is underdeveloped. Even with renewable energy entering the African market, old infrastructure and ecological issues are forcing coal-fired power plants to take retrofit measures to improve efficiency and reduce emissions. New design and development of African coal-fired power plants must adopt new technologies to keep pace with sustainability objectives.
This article talks about retrofitting opportunities for aging coal plants and offers significant issues related to the design and construction of cleaner, more efficient coal power generation plants in Africa.
Despite the global trend towards renewable energy, coal power generation remains a significant part of Africa’s energy economy. Countries such as South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe utilize coal to produce electricity since it is affordable and abundant. However, a majority of the operating plants are applying outdated technology, resulting in inefficiencies and plenty of emissions.
Retrofitting technology of coal-fired power plants can address these challenges by enhancing older facilities and extending operating periods while minimizing environmental impact. New coal-fired power plants design and construction in Africa should become a priority, while also taking into account efficiency, flexibility, and meeting global emissions levels.
Coal power plant retrofitting is an economical way to enhance performance without new plant construction. The major retrofitting solutions are:
African coal-fired power plants lack adequate sulfur dioxide (SO₂) controls. Installation with FGD systems will reduce SO₂ emissions by up to 95% while keeping the plant in compliance with environmental regulations.
Installation of high-efficiency particulate emission control devices, such as ESPs or fabric filters, for power plants can greatly alter fly ash emissions removal and improve air quality.
Replacement of old boilers and turbines with more efficient ones can enhance plant efficiency and reduce fuel consumption. Supercritical and ultra-supercritical technologies can contribute substantially to increased efficiency.
While total CCS is still not economically viable in Africa, the CCS-readiness of units will satisfy forthcoming carbon abatement targets.
Some African coal power stations can adopt biomass co-firing, reducing the level of coal consumed with decreasing carbon emissions with minimal modifications to infrastructure.
Through these retrofits to coal facilities, African nations can extend the life of existing plants while still being in compliance with more stringent environmental policy.
Coal-fired power plant design and construction in Africa in greenfield schemes must employ superior technologies to achieve high efficiency and less environmental impact. Some of the considerations are:
Recent HELE power plants, namely advanced ultra-supercritical (AUSC) and ultra-supercritical (USC) technologies, are built using increased pressures and temperatures, running above 45% efficiencies (~33% in the case of subcritical ones). Fuel use and emissions are reduced per megawatt-hour.
With increased utilization of renewable resources, coal power plants must be operated flexibly to match supply and demand. New plant designs need advanced controls and load-following.
Water is a precious commodity in Africa. Dry cooling or hybrid cooling systems will save a huge amount of water compared to the wet cooling towers used in the past.
New power plants must adopt ash recycling technologies, like the application of fly ash as a cement additive, to reduce landfilling waste and create new revenues.
New coal-based power plants in Africa must be built to international best practice, including World Bank social and environmental standards, if they are to be financed and to be demonstrated as sustainable.
Retrofitting technology of coal-fired power plants and new HELE power plant design are greatly beneficial, but there are problems too:
l Financing: Retrofits and new HELE plants require huge investments. Green finance instruments and cooperation with international partners can help bridge the gap in financing.
l Regulatory Institutions: Cleaner coal technologies must be made more competitive with tighter pollution controls.
l Public Perception: Coal is not favored on the basis of environmental factors, and therefore, cleaner substitutes for coal have to be identified.
Even with all such obstacles, Africa's transition will have to attain reliability, affordability, and sustainability simultaneously. Retrofitting current plants and adopting top-of-the-line technology of coal-fired power plants and building in Africa can be a transition step, as the availability of renewable energy is increasing.
Coal-fired power plants are going to be part of the energy mix in Africa for a long time to come. Investing in the retrofitting of coal station technology will allow governments to improve the performance of and reduce the emissions from existing power plants. New design and construction of new coal-fired power plants on the African continent should also focus on HELE technologies, operational flexibility, and environmental control.
A middle course—drawing power from coal backed by clean technology—can satisfy Africa's development needs and be harmonized with world sustainability goals.
Would you like to read individual case studies of African coal-fired power plants that have been recently constructed or retrofitted? Let us know in the comments!
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