Increasing efficiency of coal-fired power plants could save significant emissions

Almost a third of all CO2 emissions are from thermal power plants, and a significant portion of this from coal power plants.

And like it or not, coal power plants will continue to run for many decades especially in countries such as India and China.

Can something be done about the existing coal power plants?

One way could be to increase the efficiency.

Coal power plants operate at an abysmal 30-33% efficiency. My calculations suggest that if one were to increase the efficiency from 33% to 40% through advanced technology, this alone could cut up to 2 gigatons of CO2 emissions, about 30% of total US CO2 emissions in 2023.

That’s quite a significant number, especially when you also consider that higher efficiency means higher returns on operating costs.

The challenge is – increasing power plant efficiency is darned difficult, unless you entirely overhaul the technology, such as converting coal into gas and incorporating heat capture for further power. These mean significant investments, something most coal plants around the world, and in India, will not be willing to do.