Thermal Power

Karthik MadhavanSCMHRD, Pune.

Facts

• Convert energy rich fuel into electricity and heat.

• Accounts for over 65% of India's generated electricity.

• Fuels - coal, natural gas, petroleum products, agricultural waste and domestic trash / waste.

• Other sources - landfill gas and biogases

• Electricity consumes 80% of the coal produce.

• Coal and lignite - 57% of installed capacity.

• Low calorific value and high ash content of Indian coal.

Current Status

• Installed capacity of Thermal Power in India is 1,41,327.18 MW which is 66.99%.

• Coal Based Thermal Power is 1,20,103.38 MW which comes to 57.38%.

• Gas Based Thermal Power is 18,903.05 MW which is 9.03%.

• Oil Based Thermal Power is 1,199.75 MW which is 0.57%.• On average, about 0.7 kg of coal to generate a kWh.• Indian coal has a GCV of about 4500 Kcal/kg.• Maharashtra is the largest producer of thermal power in

the country.

Current Status

Generators MW %

State 58,089 41.10

Central 42,094 29.78

Private 41,144 29.11

Total 1,41,327 100

Source: Ministry of Power

Technologies• Steam cycle facilities • Gas turbines • Cogeneration and combined cycle facility• Internal combustion

• 91 nos.

Issues• Maintenance and operating costs are high• Long time required for erection and putting

into action• A large quantity of water is required• Great difficulty experienced in coal handling• Presence of troubles due to smoke and heat

in the plant• Unavailability of good quality coal

Issues• Maximum of heat energy lost• Problem of ash removal• Thermal efficiency is just about 45%• Clearances from Ministry of Environment and

Forests• Land acquisition• Site accidents due to process hazards, bad

plant designs, technical errors, inadequate training of personnel employed

• Coal shortage

Recommendations• Informed decision making• Clear procedures and standards for

environmental aspects• Make energy auditing compulsory to ensure

optimal power utilization• Natural air flow and other low power

demand utilities to beat the power needs• Ancillary industries to be set up near

thermal power plants

Thank You!