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D. Chakraborty
measures or options has led towards reducing the degree of impact on all the SDGs
(as shown in Table 2) except that on SDG 11 (Sustainable cities and Communities).
However, the extent or degree to which achievement of SDGs has been attained need
to be measured and studied in future through more detailed research analysis.
Energy conservation measures will not alone be sufficient to tackle the problem of
climate change produced by emissions from burning of coal. Coal-based generation
should be supported by generation from alternative clean sources of energy. Then
again, for production of power from alternative renewable sources of certain category
will create a load on the limited resource like land. For example, the implementation
of mitigation measures such as using land for growing bioenergy crops or taking
measures like afforestation for creating carbon sinks for absorbing emissions will
have a rebound effect. So land use and change in land use including land degradation
and desertification (through measuring and monitoring) should be accounted for.
This can be done through improved use of new knowledge and latest interaction
technologies (cellphone-centred applications, cloud-computing etc.) [28].
7 Conclusions and Recommendations
The study revealed the process of estimating carbon footprint during the full life
cycle of coal-based power generating unit in India. The total CF of the thermal
power plant for the year 2016–17 was estimated at 120,92,470 tCO 2 e. This emission
occurred to generate electricity to the tune of 7050 million kWh. The CF calculation
has helped towards identification of the hotspots/hotbeds of carbon emission thereby
helping the unit to distinguish the areas of operation where green initiatives are to
be implemented and also in identifying the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
impacted and achieved. Being a coal-based plant, direct emission comprised about
99% of total carbon footprint and indirect emission only as minor around 1%. The unit
has undertaken a number of carbon reduction and other green options or initiatives
as mentioned above along with measures like afforestation/tree plantations in the
nearby locality.
However, it is further recommended that
• Milling system to be upgraded for grinding coal to desired sizes to make possible
cent percent burning of coal and lessening of dry ash. Preference to be given to
dry ash collection and disposal (compared to wet ash) because of dearth of land
available for fly ash disposal.
• Renovation and modernization of the plant will help to lengthen the effective life
span of the plant by at least two more decades.
• Introduction of renewable energy like solar, wind, biogas can help towards reduction of carbon footprint (direct emission) and to achieve SDGs in a more concrete
way.
• Solar PV units may be introduced for Electricity generation to be utilized for
lighting purpose.
D. Chakraborty
measures or options has led towards reducing the degree of impact on all the SDGs
(as shown in Table 2) except that on SDG 11 (Sustainable cities and Communities).
However, the extent or degree to which achievement of SDGs has been attained need
to be measured and studied in future through more detailed research analysis.
Energy conservation measures will not alone be sufficient to tackle the problem of
climate change produced by emissions from burning of coal. Coal-based generation
should be supported by generation from alternative clean sources of energy. Then
again, for production of power from alternative renewable sources of certain category
will create a load on the limited resource like land. For example, the implementation
of mitigation measures such as using land for growing bioenergy crops or taking
measures like afforestation for creating carbon sinks for absorbing emissions will
have a rebound effect. So land use and change in land use including land degradation
and desertification (through measuring and monitoring) should be accounted for.
This can be done through improved use of new knowledge and latest interaction
technologies (cellphone-centred applications, cloud-computing etc.) [28].
7 Conclusions and Recommendations
The study revealed the process of estimating carbon footprint during the full life
cycle of coal-based power generating unit in India. The total CF of the thermal
power plant for the year 2016–17 was estimated at 120,92,470 tCO 2 e. This emission
occurred to generate electricity to the tune of 7050 million kWh. The CF calculation
has helped towards identification of the hotspots/hotbeds of carbon emission thereby
helping the unit to distinguish the areas of operation where green initiatives are to
be implemented and also in identifying the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
impacted and achieved. Being a coal-based plant, direct emission comprised about
99% of total carbon footprint and indirect emission only as minor around 1%. The unit
has undertaken a number of carbon reduction and other green options or initiatives
as mentioned above along with measures like afforestation/tree plantations in the
nearby locality.
However, it is further recommended that
• Milling system to be upgraded for grinding coal to desired sizes to make possible
cent percent burning of coal and lessening of dry ash. Preference to be given to
dry ash collection and disposal (compared to wet ash) because of dearth of land
available for fly ash disposal.
• Renovation and modernization of the plant will help to lengthen the effective life
span of the plant by at least two more decades.
• Introduction of renewable energy like solar, wind, biogas can help towards reduction of carbon footprint (direct emission) and to achieve SDGs in a more concrete
way.
• Solar PV units may be introduced for Electricity generation to be utilized for
lighting purpose.