UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM & ENERGYSTUDIES, DEHRADUN

Report on Problems and prospects of Setting up a Thermal power Plant

Prepared forDr. Neeraj Anand (Faculty for Project Management and Contract Administration)

Prepared by

27Subhadip Manna

Table of contents1.Introduction12.Basics of Thermal Power Plant52.1 Classification of Thermal power plant62.2 Working of Thermal power plant92.3 Advantages of Thermal Power102.4 Disadvantages of Thermal Power102.5 Efficiency:112.6 Power Companies in India.133.Prospects of Setting up a Thermal Power Plant153.1 LOCATION163.2 WASTE MANAGEMENT173.3 Effluent and disposal183.4 Water Balance and Water Conservation in Thermal Power Stations194. Clearance Required Setting up a Thermal Power Plant204.1 Some basic Problems for Thermal Power plant Planning.215. Environmental checklist for Thermal Power Plant225.1Tools for assessment and analysis225.2 Guidelines of central electricity authority [CEA], government of India,23for site selection of coal-based thermal power stations235.3 Guidelines for site selection of coal-based thermal power stations set by the MoEF246. EIA study report.246.1 Project Cycle246.2 Project Analysis257. CONCLUSION278. REFERENCE28

1. 1

2. Introduction

Power generation is the harbinger of economic growth and industrial development of any country. Although it is a life stream of country like India, it contributes to the GHG emissions as the fossil fuels have major share in total power generation. The section covers the current power situation in India, development of renewable energy sources, central and state policies, future energy projections, current power delivery system etc. The electricity sector in India had an installed capacity of 210.951 GW as of December 2012, the world's fifth largest. Captive power plants generate an additional 31.5 GW. Non Renewable Power Plants constitute 88.55% of the installed capacity and 11.45% of Renewable Capacity. India generated 855 BU (855 000 MU i.e. 855 TWh) electricity during 2011-12 fiscal.In terms of fuel, coal-fired plants account for 56% of India's installed electricity capacity, compared to South Africa's 92%; China's 77%; and Australia's 76%. After coal, renewal hydropower accounts for 19%, renewable energy for 12% and natural gas for about 9%.In December 2011, over 300 million Indian citizens had no access to electricity. Over one third of India's rural population lacked electricity, as did 6% of the urban population. Of those who did have access to electricity in India, the supply was intermittent and unreliable. In 2010, blackouts and power shedding interrupted irrigation and manufacturing across the country.The per capita average annual domestic electricity consumption in India in 2009 was 96 kWh in rural areas and 288 kWh in urban areas for those with access to electricity, in contrast to the worldwide per capita annual average of 2600 kWh and 6200 kWh in the European Union. India's total domestic, agricultural and industrial per capita energy consumption estimate varies depending on the source. Two sources place it between 400 to 700 kWh in 20082009. As of January 2012, one report found the per capita total consumption in India to be 778 kWh.India currently suffers from a major shortage of electricity generation capacity, even though it is the world's fourth largest energy consumer after United States, China and Russia. The International Energy Agency estimates India needs an investment of at least $135 billion to provide universal access of electricity to its population.The International Energy Agency estimates India will add between 600 GW to 1200 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 (EU-27) 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.India's electricity sector is amongst the world's most active players in renewable energy utilization, especially wind energy. As of December 2011, India had an installed capacity of about 22.4 GW of renewal technologies-based electricity, exceeding the total installed electricity capacity in Austria by all technologies.India's network losses exceeded 32% in 2010 including non-technical losses, compared to world average of less than 15%. Both technical and non-technical factors contribute to these losses, but quantifying their proportions is difficult. But the Government pegs the national T&D losses at around 24% for the year 2011 & has set a target of reducing it to 17.1% by 2017 & to 14.1% by 2022. Some experts estimate that technical losses are about 15% to 20%, A high proportion of nontechnical losses are caused by illegal tapping of lines, but faulty electric meters that underestimate actual consumption also contribute to reduced payment collection. A case study in Kerala estimated that replacing faulty meters could reduce distribution losses from 34% to 29%.Key implementation challenges for India's electricity sector include new project management and execution, ensuring availability of fuel quantities and qualities, lack of initiative to develop large coal and natural gas resources present in India, land acquisition, environmental clearances at state and central government level, and training of skilled manpower to prevent talent shortages for operating latest technology plants.Despite the global slowdown, the Indian economy is expected to grow at 7.6 percent in the current fiscal. In order to encourage a compassionate environment for economic development, equal contribution from all major sectors is required. Power sector is unanimously been accepted as one of the vital inputs for economic growth. The overall growth of the Indian economy is dependent on the performance of power sector. The present level of energy consumption in India is quite low at 778 units per person when compared to the global average of 2300 units per person. According to the Electric Power Survey, the energy requirement of India is expected to increase multifold from 9, 02,275 MUs in 2011-12 to 37, 10,083 MUs in 2031-32. In order to meet this increasing requirement, the government is planning for massive capacity additions in conjunction with bringing efficient changes in the power verticals of transmission, distribution and trading. However, in the past few years, the pace and stage of development of power sector has been slow in all the major segments. Due to several unattended issues wheeling the sector, capacity addition target was revised from 78,700 MW to 62,374 MW. The final capacity addition further stands much lower than the revised target at 54,000 MW.

Major Reasons for SlippagesLack of fuel security. Shortage of coal Supply and unallocated gas is hard hitting the operation of power plants. Delay in order placements for main plant in thermal projects.Delay in order placements for civil works for thermal.Delay in order placement by BHEL.Delay in Land acquisition and environmental clearances.

Private players overriding the sector; 56% of capacity addition in 12th Plan to come from private pool. The remaining from 26% central and18% from state.

The government has scaled down its target of 75, 785 MW for the XII Plan from the previously planned 100000 MW. Of which, about 63, 781 MW is to come from Thermal sources, 9,204 MW from hydro and 2800 MW from Nuclear sources. In the XII Plan about 42,131 MW capacity additions is expected to come from the private sector alone.Gas demand supply gap is also set to diverge in the coming years. The present gas demand only from power sector is 61 mmscmd which is likely to translate into a demand of 207 mmscmd by the end of XII Plan. The total overall domestic availability of gas is only 209 mmscmd and about 150 mmscmd is expected to be imported in the XII Plan.Coal demand-supply gap continues to diverge and the gap between expected demand and indigenous availability is likely to reach 137.03 MT by this plan which is to be met by imports. The Gap is likely to widen to 200 MT by the end of FY17.

The Twin Fuel Issues

The government has asked the power producers to abstain from setting up new gas based plants as the irregularity in gas supply is threatening the viability of 37,000 MW of existing and upcoming projects. The government has also advised the developers not to plan domestic gas based projects till 2015-16.

Coal shortage is likely to hit 46, 000 MW power projects. Costly imported fuel is eroding the profit margins of the producers. SEBs is unwilling to accommodate high-priced electricity. Supply security from domestic sources yet not ensured.

Initiatives for CoalInitiatives for GasThe government needs to make amendments to its policies to attract more players in Exploration and Production activities.The government is making arrangements in sourcing gas from foreign countries like Canada. Besides, India is also setting eyes on Shale Gas from U.S.Apart from sourcing gas from abroad, it is necessary to enlarge the domestic base for natural gas. For this, it is essential to remove the road blocks hindering the market dynamics of the Gas sector.

In order to secure the supply of coal in the country the government is looking forward to the captive coal blocks. Govt. has notified rules for allocation of coal blocks through competitive bidding. About 50 coal blocks are to be allocated through this route. There is still lack of effective policy implementation in these terms and there is an urgent need to tie these, to yield productive outcomes in terms of coal production.Many Indian firms are also trying to acquire coal assets abroad to comply with the rising coal needs

3. Basics of Thermal Power Plant

What is thermal power?A thermal power station is a power plant in which the prime mover is steam driven. Water is heated, turns into steam and spins a steam turbine which drives an electrical generator. After it passes through the turbine, the steam is condensed in a condenser and recycled to where it was heated; this is known as a Rankine cycle. The greatest variation in the design of thermal power stations is due to the different fuel sources. Some prefer to use the term energy center because such facilities convert forms of heat energy into electricity. Some thermal power plants also deliver heat energy for industrial purposes, for district heating, or for desalination of water as well as delivering electrical power.Installed thermal power capacityThe installed capacity of Thermal Power in India, as of October 31, 2012, was 140206.18 MW which is 66.99%of total installed capacity. Current installed base ofCoal Based Thermal Poweris 120,103.38 MW which comes to 57.38% of total installed base. Current installed base of Gas Based Thermal Power is 18,903.05 MW which is 9.03% of total installed capacity. Current installed base of Oil Based Thermal Power is 1,199.75 MW which is 0.57% of total installed capacity.The state of Maharashtra is the largest producer of thermal power in the country.

In thermal power stations, mechanical power is produced by a heat engine that transforms thermal energy, often from combustion of a fuel, into rotational energy. Most thermal power stations produce steam, and these are sometimes called steam power stations. Not all thermal energy can be transformed into mechanical power, according to the second law of thermodynamics. Therefore, there is always heat lost to the environment. If this loss is employed as useful heat, for industrial processes or district heating, the power plant is referred to as a cogeneration power plant or CHP (combined heat-and-power) plant. In countries where district heating is common, there are dedicated heat plants called heat-only boiler stations. An important class of power stations in the Middle East uses by-product heat for the desalination of water.The efficiency of a steam turbine is limited by the maximum temperature of the steam produced and is not directly a function of the fuel used. For the same steam conditions, coal, nuclear and gas power plants all have the same theoretical efficiency. Overall, if a system is on constantly (base load) it will be more efficient than one that is used intermittently (peak load).Besides use of reject heat for process or district heating, one way to improve overall efficiency of a power plant is to combine two different thermodynamic cycles. Most commonly, exhaust gases from a gas turbine are used to generate steam for a boiler and steam turbine. The combination of a "top" cycle and a "bottom" cycle produces higher overall efficiency than either cycle can attain alone.2.1 Classification of Thermal power plant

By fuelFossil-fuel power stations may also use a steam turbine generator or in the case of natural gas-fired plants may use a combustion turbine. A coal-fired power station produces electricity by burning coal to generate steam, and has the side-effect of producing large amounts of sulfur dioxide which pollutes air and water and carbon dioxide, which contributes to global warming. About 50% of electric generation in the USA is produced by coal-fired power plantsNuclear power plants use a nuclear reactor's heat to operate a steam turbine generator. About 20% of electric generation in the USA is produced by nuclear power plants.Geothermal power plants use steam extracted from hot underground rocks.Biomass-fuelled power plants may be fuelled by waste from sugar cane, municipal solid waste, landfill methane, or other forms of biomass.In integrated steel mills, blast furnace exhaust gas is a low-cost, although low-energy-density, fuel.Waste heat from industrial processes is occasionally concentrated enough to use for power generation, usually in a steam boiler and turbine.Solar thermal electric plants use sunlight to boil water and produce steam which turns the generator.By prime moverSteam turbine plants use the dynamic pressure generated by expanding steam to turn the blades of a turbine. Almost all large non-hydro plants use this system. About 90% of all electric power produced in the world is by use of steam turbines.Gas turbine plants use the dynamic pressure from flowing gases (air and combustion products) to directly operate the turbine. Natural-gas fuelled (and oil fueled) combustion turbine plants can start rapidly and so are used to supply "peak" energy during periods of high demand, though at higher cost than base-loaded plants. These may be comparatively small units, and sometimes completely unmanned, being remotely operated. This type was pioneered by the UK, Princetown being the world's first, commissioned in 1959.Combined cycle plants have both a gas turbine fired by natural gas, and a steam boiler and steam turbine which use the hot exhaust gas from the gas turbine to produce electricity. This greatly increases the overall efficiency of the plant, and many new base load power plants are combined cycle plants fired by natural gas.Internal combustion reciprocating engines are used to provide power for isolated communities and are frequently used for small cogeneration plants. Hospitals, office buildings, industrial plants, and other critical facilities also use them to provide backup power in case of a power outage. These are usually fuelled by diesel oil, heavy oil, natural gas, and landfill gas.Micro turbines, Stirling engine and internal combustion reciprocating engines are low-cost solutions for using opportunity fuels, such as landfill gas, digester gas from water treatment plants and waste gas from oil production.By dutyPower plants that can be dispatched (scheduled) to provide energy to a system include:Base load power plants run nearly continually to provide that component of system load that doesn't vary during a day or week. Base load plants can be highly optimized for low fuel cost, but may not start or stop quickly during changes in system load. Examples of base-load plants would include large modern coal-fired and nuclear generating stations, or hydro plants with a predictable supply of water.Peaking power plants meet the daily peak load, which may only be for a one or two hours each day. While their incremental operating cost is always higher than base load plants, they are required to ensure security of the system during load peaks. Peaking plants include simple cycle gas turbines and sometimes reciprocating internal combustion engines, which can be started up rapidly when system peaks are predicted. Hydroelectric plants may also be designed for peaking use.Load following power plants can economically follow the variations in the daily and weekly load, at lower cost than peaking plants and with more flexibility than base load plants.Non-dispatch able plants include such sources as wind and solar energy; while their long-term contribution to system energy supply is predictable, on a short-term (daily or hourly) base their energy must be used as available since generation cannot be deferred. Contractual arrangements (take or pay") with independent power producers or system interconnections to other networks may be effectively non-dispatch able.Thermal power plants can deploy a wide range of technologies. Some of the major technologies include: Steam cycle facilities (most commonly used for large utilities); Gas turbines (commonly used for moderate sized peaking facilities); Cogeneration and combined cycle facility (the combination of gas turbines or internal combustion engines with heat recovery systems); and Internal combustion engines (commonly used for small remote sites or stand-by power generation).India has an extensive review process, one that includes environment impact assessment, prior to a thermal power plant being approved for construction and commissioning. The Ministry of Environment and Forests has published a technical guidance manual to help project proposers and to prevent environmental pollution in India from thermal power plants.

Schematic Diagram of Thermal power plant.

Typical diagram of a coal-fired thermal power station1.Cooling tower10. SteamControl valve19.Superheater

2. Cooling water pump11. High pressuresteam turbine20. Forced draught (draft)fan

3.transmission line(3-phase)12.Deaerator21. Reheater

4. Step-uptransformer(3-phase)13.Feedwater heater22.Combustionair intake

5.Electrical generator(3-phase)14.Coalconveyor23.Economiser

6. Low pressuresteam turbine15.Coalhopper24.Air preheater

7.Condensate pump16.Coal pulverizer25.Precipitator

8.Surface condenser17.Boiler steam drum26. Induced draught (draft)fan

9. Intermediate pressuresteam turbine18.Bottom ashhopper27.Flue gas stack

2.2 Working of Thermal power plantFeed water heaterAfeed water heateris apower plantcomponent used to pre-heat water delivered to asteamgeneratingboiler. Preheating the feed water reduces the irreversibility involved in steam generation and therefore improves thethermodynamic efficiencyof the system.This reduces plant operating costs and also helps to avoidthermal shockto the boiler metal when the feed water is introduced back into the steam cycle. BoilerAboileris a closedvesselin whichwateror otherfluidis heated. The heated or vaporized fluid exits the boiler for use in various processes or heating applications.Steam condensingThe condenser condenses the steam from the exhaust of the turbine into liquid to allow it to be pumped. If the condenser can be made cooler, the pressure of the exhaust steam is reduced and efficiency of thecycleincreases.Electrical Generator Inelectricity generation, anelectric generatoris a device that convertsmechanical energytoelectrical energy.

Steam TurbineAsteam turbineis a mechanical device that extractsthermal energyfrom pressurizedsteam, and converts it into rotary motion.2.3 Advantages of Thermal Power 1. The fuel used is quite cheap.1. Less initial cost as compared to other generating plants.1. It can be installed at any place irrespective of the existence of coal. The coal can be transported to the site of the plant by rail or road.1. It requires less space as compared to Hydro power plants.1. Cost of generation is less than that of diesel power plants.1. They can be located very conveniently near the load centers.1. Does not require shielding like required in nuclear power plant1. Unlike nuclear power plants whose power production method is difficult, for thermal power plants it is easy.1. Transmission costs are reduced as they can be set up near the industry.1. The portion of steam generated can be used as process steam in different industries.1. Steam engines and turbines can work under 25% of overload capacity.1. Able to respond changing base loads without difficulty.2.4 Disadvantages of Thermal Power1. It pollutes the atmosphere due to production of large amount of smoke and fumes.1. Large amounts of water are required.1. Takes long time to be erected and put into action.1. Maintenance and operating costs are high.1. With increase in pressure and temperature, the cost of plant increases.1. Troubles from smoke and heat from the plant, disposal of ash.

2.5 Efficiency:

The energy efficiency of a conventional thermal power station, considered as salable energy as a percent of theheating valueof the fuel consumed, is typically 33% to 48%. This efficiency is limited as all heat engines are governed by the laws ofthermodynamics. The rest of the energy must leave the plant in the form of heat. Thiswaste heatcan go through acondenserand be disposed of withcooling wateror incooling towers. If the waste heat is instead utilized for district heating, it is calledco-generation. Important classes of thermal power station are associated withdesalinationfacilities; these are typically found in desert countries with large supplies of natural gasand in these plants, freshwater production and electricity are equally important co-products.TheCarnot efficiencydictates that higher efficiencies can be attained by increasing the temperature of the steam. Sub-critical fossil fuel power plants can achieve 3640% efficiency.Super criticaldesigns have efficiencies in the low to mid 40% range, with new "Ultra critical" designs using pressures of 4400 psi (30.3 MPa) and multiple stage reheat reaching about 48% efficiency. Above thecritical pointfor waterof705 F(374C)and 3212 psi (22.06 MPa), there is nophase transitionfrom water to steam, but only a gradual decrease in density.Currentnuclear power plantsmust operate below the temperatures and pressures that coal-fired plants do, since the pressurized vessel is very large and contains the entire bundle of nuclear fuel rods. The size of the reactor limits the pressure that can be reached. This, in turn, limits their thermodynamic efficiency to 3032%. Some advanced reactor designs being studied, such as theVery high temperature reactor,advanced gas-cooled reactorandsuper critical water reactor, would operate at temperatures and pressures similar to current coal plants, producing comparable thermodynamic efficiency.

Heat rateA form of expressing efficiency of an engine or turbine. The fuel heating value consumed per unit of useful output (usually electrical output). Common unit is kJ/kWh. To convert to efficiency divide by 3600 and invert.Heat Rate (Generated) (kJ/kWh) Quantity fuel (kg) * higher heating value of fuel consumed (kJ/kg) divided by:Total energy generated (kWh)Heat Rate (gen) is related to Efficiency (gen) by:Heat Rate (gen) (kJ/kWh) = 3600 * 100 divided by:/ Efficiency (gen) (%)Heat Rate (Sent Out) (kJ/kWh)Quantity fuel (kg) * higher heating value of fuel consumed (kJ/kg) divided by:/ Total energy generated (kWh) - Total auxiliary energy (kWh)Heat Rate (s/o) is related to Efficiency (s/o) byHeat Rate (s/o) (kJ/kWh) = 3600 * 100 ./ Efficiency (s/o) (%)

2.6 Power Companies in India.

The following 58 pages are in this category, out of 58 totals. This list may not reflect recent changes (learn more).

AG N

Adani PowerGujarat Urja Vikas NigamNuclear Power Corporation of India

Andhra Pradesh Central Power Distribution CompanyHO

Andhra Pradesh Power Generation CorporationHaryana Power Generation CorporationOrissa Power Generation Corporation

AstonfieldIP

BIndraprastha Power GenerationPaschim Gujarat Vij

Bombay Electric Supply & Tramways Company LimitedJPunjab State Power Corporation

Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and TransportJindal Steel and PowerR

British Electric Traction CompanyJSW EnergyRajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam

CKReliance Infrastructure

CESC LimitedKarnataka Power Corporation LimitedRural Electrification Corporation Limited

Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation LimitedLS

Chhattisgarh State Power Generation Company LimitedLanco InfratechSterlite Energy Limited

Clarke EnergyList of electricity organisations in IndiaT

DMTamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited

Dabhol Power CompanyMadhya Gujarat VijTamil Nadu Transmission Corporation Limited

Dakshin Gujarat Vij Company Ltd.Madhya Pradesh Power Generation Company LimitedTata Power

Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran NigamMaharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company LimitedTNEB

Damodar Valley CorporationMaharashtra State Power Generation Company LimitedTorrent Power

Delhi Transco LimitedMangalore Electricity Supply Company LimitedTransmission Corporation of Andhra Pradesh

EMSPL LimitedU

Essar EnergyNUttar Gujarat Vij

GNeyveli Lignite CorporationUttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam

User talk:Gkd1981NHPC LimitedUttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam

Gujarat State Electricity Corporation LimitedNorth Eastern Electric Power Corporation LimitedW

Gujarat State Energy GenerationNSPCLWelspun Energy

NTPC Limited

Bhavini

4. Prospects of Setting up a Thermal Power Plant

The current and future projected cost of new electricity generation capacity is a critical input into the development of energy projections and analyses. The cost of new generating plants plays an important role in determining the mix of capacity additions that will serve growing loads in the future. New plant costs also help to determine how new capacity competes against existing capacity, and the response of the electricity generators to the imposition of environmental controls on conventional pollutants or any limitations on greenhouse gas emissions.Planning of Power Plant involves decision on two basic parameters:1. Total power output to be installed (e.g. 1000 MW) Installed capacity is determined from: Estimated Demand: - Before setting up a power plant, we need to critically analyze demand which gives us the idea to determine capacity which needs to be installed. The installation capacity should match the demand and hence estimation of demand is the critical fact while setting up a power plant. Growth of Demand anticipated: - While determining demand, future prospects needs to be considered so that the return on capital would be maximized and future demand could be met easily. Reserve Capacity required:- Considering the various type of demand in a market how much reserve capacity is required to be installed is determined and hence this will help in determining installation capacity.

2. Size of generating units (e.g. 4 units of 250 MW each) Size of the generating units will depend on: Variation of Load (Load Curve):- During the different hour of the day and in various seasons the demand varies, so the load curves. Now the number of units has to be determined to run the operations optimally and meeting the requirement daily. Minimum start-up and shut down periods of the units Maintenance programme planned

Above are few factors which one will look before setting up power plant. After taking decision to setup a plant following are the important aspect which plays an important role in setting up power plant.3.1 LOCATION

Selecting a proper site for a thermal power plant is vital for its long term efficiency and a lot many factors come into play when deciding where to install the plant. Of course it may not be possible to get everything which is desirable at a single place but still the location should contain an optimum mix of the requirements for the settings to be feasible for long term economic justification of the plant.As the name implies the power plant is meant for generating power which obviously means that it will consume huge quantities of fuel. The exact quantity would depend on the size of the plant and its capacity but it is a general fact that ample quantities of fuel must be available either in the vicinity or it should be reasonably economical to transport the fuel till the power plant. Since most thermal power plants use coal (they can use other fuels as well) it must be ensured that sufficient coal is available round the clock. Just to give a rough idea a power plant with 1000 MW capacity approximately would require more than ten thousand tons of coal per day hence the necessity for continuous supply and storage capability of coal in the power station.In general, both the construction and operation of a power plant requires the existence of some conditions such as water resources and stable soil type. Still there are other criteria that although not required for the power plant, yet should be considered because they will be affected by either the construction or operation of the plants such as population and protected areas. The following list corers most of the factors that should be studied and considered in selection of proper sites for power plant construction:Transportation network:Easy and enough access to transportation network is required in both power plant construction and operation periods.Gas pipe network:Vicinity to the gas pipes reduces the required expenses.Power transmission network:To transfer the generated electricity to the consumers, the plant should be connected to electrical transmission systemTherefore the nearness to the electric network can play a roll.Geology and soil type:The power plant should be built in an area with soil and rock layers that could stand the weight and vibrations of the power plant.Earthquake and geological faults:Even weak and small earthquakes can damage many parts of a power plant intensively. Therefore the site should be away enough from the faults and previous earthquake areas.Topography:It is proved that high elevation has a negative effect on production efficiency of gas turbines. In addition, changing of a sloping area into a flat site for the construction of the power plant needs extra budget. Therefore, the parameters of elevation and slope should be considered.Rivers and floodways:obviously, the power plant should have a reasonable distance from permanent and seasonal rivers and floodways.Water resources:For the construction and operating of power plant different volumes of water are required. This could be supplied from either rivers or underground water resources. Therefore having enough water supplies in defined vicinity can be a factor in the selection of the site.Environmental resources:Operation of a power plant has important impacts on environment. Therefore, priority will be given to the locations that are far enough from national parks, wildlife, protected areas, etc.Population centers:For the same reasons as above, the site should have an enough distance from population centers.

3.2 WASTE MANAGEMENTEnergy requirements for the developing countries in particular are met fromcoal-based thermal power plants. The disposal of the increasing amounts of solid waste from coal-fired thermal power plants is becoming a serious concern to the environmentalists. Coal ash, 80% of which is very fine in nature and is thus known as fly ash is collected by electrostatic precipitators in stacks. In India, nearly 90 mt of fly ash is generated per annum at present and is largely responsible for environmental pollution. In developed countries like Germany, 80% of the fly ash generated is being utilized, whereas in India only 3% is being consumed. This article attempts to highlight the management of fly ash to make use of this solid waste, in order to save our environment.COAL-based thermal power plants have been a major source of power generation in India, where 75% of the total power obtained is from coal-based thermal power plants. The coal reserve of India is about 200 billion tonnes (BT) and its annual production reaches 250 million tonnes (mt) approximately. About 70% of this is used in the power sector. In India, unlike in most of the developed countries, ash content in the coal used for power generation is 3040%. High ash coal means more wear and tear of the plant and machinery, low thermal efficiency of the boiler, slogging, choking and scaling of the furnace and most serious of them all, generation of a large amount of fly ash. India ranks fourth in the world in the production of coal ash as by-product waste after USSR, USA and China, in that order. Fly ash is defined in Cement and Concrete Terminology (ACI Committee 116) as the finely divided residue resulting from the combustion of ground or powdered coal, which is transported from the fire box through the boiler by flue gases. Fly ash is fine glass powder, the particles of which are generally spherical in shape and range in size from 0.5 to 100 gm. Fly ash is classified into two types according to the type of coal used. Anthracite and bituminous coal produces fly ash classified as class F. Class C fly ash is produced by burning lignite or sub-bituminous coal. Class C fly ash has self-cementing properties. 3.3 Effluent and disposalDisposal and management of fly ash is a major problem in coal-fired thermal power plants. Fly ash emissions from a variety of coal combustion units show a wide range of composition. All elements below atomic number 92 are present in coal ash. A 500 MW thermal power plant releases 200 mt SO2, 70 t NO2 and 500 t fly ash approximately every day. Particulate matter (PM) considered as a source of air pollution constitutes fly ash. 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. The residual particles being silica (4073%) cause silicosis. All the heavy metals (Ni, Cd, Sb, As, Cr, Pb, etc.) generally found in fly ash are toxic in nature.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 Japan2. 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.

3.4 Water Balance and Water Conservation in Thermal Power StationsIn thermal power stations consumption of auxiliary power, specific coal consumption, specific oil consumption and heat rate are generally monitored. Many at the power plants may not know the specific water consumption, except in percentage terms DM water makeup. In the recent past, the water cost has gone up by more than 70 times in many states. A typical super thermal power station of 2100 MW pays around Rs. 10 crore towards water bill for the raw water alone, excluding what is paid to the pollution control boards. There is lot of prudence in monitoring the specific water consumption in terms of liter/kWh. The specific water consumption of coal based power plants varies between 3.5 8 liters/kWh. BY systematic water audit, one can reduce water consumption to the tune of 30-40 percent. Water conservation also leads to reduction of auxiliary power consumption, since there is close nexus between water and energy.

4. Clearance Required Setting up a Thermal Power Plant

4.1 Some basic Problems for Thermal Power plant Planning.

1. Fuel quality & availabilitya. Coal quality & availability constraints2. Coal beneficiation3. Power generation technology4. Clean coal based technologies5. Land accusation Problem 6. Logistic route Rail/ Road, pipelines, port etc (for fuel, water, ash etc)7. Power evacuation route (Electricity Grid)8. Water source.9. Price of Fuela. Volatility of coal price.10. Environmental clearance. 11. Benchmarka. Resultant cost can at best be applied only as a prudence check rather than be used to determine the tariff. Model should not replace the price discovery model based on ICB tendering processb. Emphasis now is being laid on tariff based competitive bidding; as such this benchmark study may serve limited purpose.c. Technological transfer price impact: Impact of advisory issued by CEA in February 2010 regarding incorporation of the condition of setting up of phased indigenous manufacturing facilities in the bids while sourcing supercritical units would require accounting for increase in cost on such issues.d. Sample Size for 600, 660 & 800 MW /Limited data availability for 600/660/800 MW/Extrapolation done to derive costs.

12. Civil Works13. Indices used for calculation of Escalation do not match with indices used by largest manufacturer (BHEL) and utility (NTPC).14. Scaling down factors in case of Greenfield vs. Brownfield projects/Additional units 10 at one location.15. It is not clear whether the project specific Mega/non mega status have been factored in the analysis of price. Electro Static Precipitator package considered is a part of Steam Generator package or is excluded. Cost of transportation, insurance, statutory fees paid towards Indian Boiler Regulations, IR etc is included or otherwise. 12 Benchmark data for Turbine Generator and Boiler are based on Turbine Inlet parameter as 247 bar, 537/565 deg centigrade. However if any developer goes in for higher parameter e.g. 565/593 deg centigrade suitable factor to be applied over benchmark cost.16. 7 Providing options for dry fly ash disposal (100%), high Concentration Slurry System 100%). Suitable weightage for distance beyond 5 km, lower slabs of Calorific value, price ceiling impact may be considered, Categorization of seismic zone, Type of chimney-single flue/multi flue, consideration of auxiliary boiler etc.17. Change in evacuation voltage level from 400KV to 765KV results in significant increase in switchyard cost i.e. per bay cost almost trebles.

5. Environmental checklist for Thermal Power Plant

Before setting up a thermal power plant most critical job is EIA study. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process of identifying, predicting, evaluating and mitigating the biophysical, social, and other relevant effects of development proposals prior to major decisions being taken and commitments made.

The basic tenets of this EIA Notification could be summarized into following: Pollution potential as the basis for prior environmental clearance instead of investment criteria; and Decentralization of clearing powers to the State/Union Territory (UT) level Authorities for certain developmental activities to make the prior environmental clearance process quicker, transparent and effective mechanism of clearance.

5.1Tools for assessment and analysis

Risk assessment Life cycle assessment Total cost assessment Environmental audit/statement Environmental benchmarking Environmental indicators

Tools for action

Environmental policy Market-based economic instruments Pollution charge Tradable permits Market barrier reductions Government subsidy reduction

Innovative funding mechanism EMS and ISO certification Total environmental quality movement Eco-labelling Cleaner production 4-R concept Eco-efficiency Industrial eco-system or metabolism Voluntary agreements

5.2 Guidelines of central electricity authority [CEA], government of India,for site selection of coal-based thermal power stations The choice of location is based on the following: Nearness to coal source; Accessibility by road and rail; Availability of land, water and coal for the final installation capacity; Coal transportation logistics; Power evacuation facilities; Availability of construction material, power and water; Preliminary environmental feasibility including rehabilitation and resettlement requirements, if any;

Land requirement for large capacity power plant is about 0.2 km2 per 100 MW for the main power house only excluding land for water reservoir (required if any). The land for housing is taken as 0.4 km2 per project. Land requirement for ash pond is about 0.2 km2 per 100 MW considering 50% of ash utilization. Land for ash pond is considered near the main plant area (say 5 to 10 km away). In case of non-availability of low lying ash pond area at one place, the possibility of having two areas in close proximity is considered. Water requirement is about 40 cusecs per 1000 MW. First priority is given to the sites those are free from forest, habitation and irrigated/agricultural land. Second priority is given to those sites that are barren, i.e., wasteland, intermixed with any other land type, which amounts to 20% of the total land identified for the purpose. Location of thermal power station is avoided in the coal-bearing area. Coal transportation is preferred by dedicated marry-go-round (MGR) rail system. The availability of corridor for the MGR need to be addressed while selecting the sites.

5.3 Guidelines for site selection of coal-based thermal power stations set by the MoEF Locations of thermal power stations are avoided within 25 km of the outer periphery of the following: Metropolitan cities; National park and wildlife sanctuaries; Ecologically sensitive areas like tropical forest, biosphere reserve, important lake and coastal areas rich in coral formation; The sites should be chosen in such a way that chimneys of the power plants does not fall within the approach funnel of the runway of the nearest airport; Those sites should be chosen which are at least 500 m away from the flood plain of river system; Location of the sites are avoided in the vicinity (say 10 km) of places of archaeological, historical, cultural/religious/tourist importance and defense installations; Forest or prime agriculture lands are avoided for setting up of thermal power houses or ash disposal

6. EIA study report.

6.1 Project Cycle

The generic project cycle including that of Thermal Power Plant has six main stages:1. Project concept2. Pre-feasibility3. Feasibility4. Design and engineering5. Implementation6. Monitoring and evaluation

It is important to consider the environmental factors on an equal basis with technical and economic factors throughout the project planning, assessment and implementation phases. Environmental consideration should be introduced at the earliest in the project cycle and must be an integral part of the project pre-feasibility and feasibility stage. If the environmental considerations are given due respect in site selection process by the project proponent, the subsequent stages of the environmental clearance process would get simplified and would also facilitate easy compliance to the mitigation measures throughout the project life cycle.

A projects feasibility study should include a detailed assessment of significant impacts and the EIA include a detailed prediction and quantification of impacts and delineation of Environmental Management Plan (EMP). Findings of the EIA study should preferably be incorporated in the project design stage so that the project is studied, the site alternatives are required and necessary changes, if required, are incorporated in the project design stage. This practice will also help the management in assessing the negative impacts and in designing cost-effective remedial measures. In general, EIA enhances the project quality and improves the project planning process.

6.2 Project Analysis

1) Executive summary of the project.2) Justification for selecting the proposed unit size.3) Land requirement for the project including its break up for various purposes, its availability and optimization. Norms prescribed by CEA should be kept in view.4) Details of proposed layout clearly demarcating various units within the plant.5) Complete process flow diagram describing each of the unit processes and operations, along with material and energy inputs & outputs (material and energy balance).6) Details on requirement of raw materials, its source and storage at the plant.7) Fuel analysis report (sulphur, ash content and mercury) including details of auxiliary fuel, if any. Details like quantity, quality, storage etc.,8) Quantity of fuel required its source and transportation, a confirmed fuel linkage/ copy of the MoU.9) Source of water and its availability. Proof regarding availability of requisite quantity of water from the competent authority.10) Details on water balance including quantity of effluent generated, recycled & reused. Efforts to minimize effluent discharge and to maintain quality of receiving water body.11) Details of effluent treatment plant, inlet and treated water quality with specific efficiency of each treatment unit in reduction in respect of all concerned/regulated environmental parameters.12) Location of intake and outfall points (with coordinates) based on modeling studies.Details of modeling and the results obtained. It may be kept in view that the intake and outfall points are away from the mangroves.13) Examine the feasibility of zero discharge. In case of any proposed discharge, its quantity, quality and point of discharge, users downstream, etc.14) Explore the possibility of cooling towers installation. Details regarding the same.15) Details regarding fly ash utilization as per new notification16) Detailed plan of ash utilization / management.17) Details of evacuation of ash.18) Details regarding ash pond impermeability and whether it would be lined, if so details of the lining etc.19) Details of desalination plant and disposal of sludge.20) Details of proposed source-specific pollution control schemes and equipment to meet the national standards.21) Details of the proposed methods of water conservation and recharging.22) Management plan for solid/hazardous waste generation, storage, utilization and disposal.23) Details regarding infrastructure facilities such as sanitation, fuel storage, restroom, etc. to the workers during construction and operation phase.24) In case of expansion of existing industries, remediation measures adopted to restore the environmental quality if the groundwater, soil, crop, air, etc., are affected and a detailed compliance to the prior environmental clearance/consent conditions.25) Any litigation pending against the project and /or any direction /order passed by any Court of Law related to the environmental pollution and impacts in the last two years, if so, details thereof.Description of the EnvironmentAnticipated Environmental Impacts and Mitigation MeasuresAnalysis of alternative resources and technologiesEnvironmental Monitoring ProgramAdditional StudiesEnvironmental Management Plan

7. CONCLUSION

Power projects are necessary not only for the economic development but for the growth of infrastructure in any country. Starting a project from grass root level to the full-fledged production stage requires lots of time and resources which require proper planning and optimal utilization of resources. Besides all this tedious work, getting clearances to start the project and fulfil the required resources are important concern for project owners. These requirement are land, water, material, men, machinery, etc. and clearances which require lot of work to be completed before execution of project.

After EA 2003, power sector has faced reforms and restructuring. Many new policies of government are introduced due to which escalation in power production has been seen in recent past. Policies give an opportunity for private player to enter and arrange their requirement by themselves which helps in accelerating the projects. Other arrangements like SPV, in case of UMPP, are nice option to get clearances and bidders get assured for certain requirement.

Special purpose vehicles (SPV), or shell companies, have been set up as wholly owned subsidiaries of the Power Finance Corporation for each UMPP that will be built. SPV obtains various clearances, water linkage, coal mine allocation (for domestic coal based projects) etc for the project. The SPV also initiates action for land acquisition in the name of the SPV, selects the developer through a tariff based competitive bidding process and finally transfers the SPV to the identified developer along with the various clearances, tie ups, etc. The developer is then responsible to build, own, and operate ("BOO" in economic parlance) these UMPP plants.

Hence, such arrangement as mentioned above are recommended creating confidence for bidders and getting clearance from PFC owned company. This ensures financial arrangements to start power plant and completion of project. It needs plenty of steps to travel the journey from here and everyone is expecting the pace.

Certainly, India has to walk a mile before it takes a hold.

8. REFERENCE1. Indian infrastructure research, (August 2012). Energy reports. PowerLine magazine 11. Volume 16, N0.2.2. Power trading, (August 2012). Discom financials. PowerLine magazine 11. Volume 16, N0.2.3. Indian Electricity scenario. About the sector, retrieved on November 18, 2012, fromhttp://www.powermin.nic.in/JSP_SERVLETS/internal.jsp4. Training and Research. National training policy for power sector, retrieved on November 22, 2012, fromhttp://www.powermin.nic.in/JSP_SERVLETS/internal.jsp5. British Electricity International (1991).Modern Power Station Practice: incorporating modern power system practice(3rd Edition (12 volume set) ed.). Pergamon.ISBN0-08-040510-X.6. Indian power sector review http://indianpowersector.com/home/power-station/thermal-power-plant/7. Central Electricity Authority reports on December 2012 from http://www.cea.nic.in/reports/proj_mon/broad_status.pdf 8. Central electricity Regulatory commission.(June 2012). Benchmark Capital Cost (Hard cost) for Thermal Power Stations with Coal as Fuel. http://www.cercind.gov.in/2012/regulation/Benchmark_Capital_Cost_for_TPS.pdf9. Planning Commission of India Reports Five year plans reports. http://planningcommission.nic.in/index.php10. Ministry of Power Reports.. http://powermin.nic.in/