AIR QUALITY – INDICATOR OF "GREEN ECONOMY"

The problem of air pollution and its associated negative consequences for the health of the population is gaining momentum due to rising energy consumption by industry and urban areas. Scientific evidence suggests that air pollutants that are transported in the atmosphere over long distances, lead to serious environmental consequences, such as acid rain, metal corrosion, loss of flora and fauna, human diseases, soil acidification, eutrophication of water bodies, causing degradation ecosystems and thus reducing their productivity and quality of life.

One of the main sources of atmospheric pollution are power plants using coal, the world's reserves of which are huge. Coal can be used for energy needs of the planet over the next century and it is the most common source of energy in the world.

World annual production is about 5 billion tons of coal. China (more than 1 billion tons ) and the United States (about 1 billion tons) rank first in coal production. World coal reserves are about 1,600 billion tons, and an order of magnitude greater than oil reserves. About 70% of the world's known coal deposits are located in the United States, China and the CIS countries, including Russia and Kazakhstan. In terms of reserves of coal Kazakhstan is among the ten leading countries, behind China, the USA, Russia, Australia, India, South Africa and Ukraine. According to state balance of the republic the caol reserves at 49 fields make up the 33.6 billion tons, including black coal - 21.5 billion tones, brown coal - 12.1 billion tons [1].

Significant advantage of use of coal is that the coal has a high value of the net energy output, and its burning allows to obtain high-temperature combustion heat and electricity by the cheapest way. About 40 % of the world's electricity is generated by burning of coal. However, coal is the most polluting energy source .

Emissions into the atmosphere at coal combustion include a variety of pollutants - sulfur and nitrogen oxides, various solid particulate matters (ash and dust) and greenhouse gases. Thus for one kW/h of electricity drawn up by thermal power station is significantly more greenhouse gas emissions than by other energy sources. Thus, 90 kg of CO2 are generated from the coal at the receiving of 1 GJ of heat and from oil and natural gas - 73 and 55 kg respectively. Furthermore, the combustion of coal emits in the atmosphere large amounts of heavy metals contained in fly ash, including: lead, mercury, cadmium.

Waste generated by burning coal occupy large areas of land and are also sources of air pollution. The presence in air the particulate solid, especially less than 10 and 2.5 microns causes respiratory disease, in addition to some inconveniences , such as ash and soot penetration into the living rooms.

Sulfur and nitrogen oxides are rapidly oxidized in the atmosphere to its higher oxides, which interacts with water vapor to form tiny droplets of sulfuric and nitric acids. This contributes to acid rain, causing tremendous harm to plants

and animals, buildings, monuments of culture and architecture. Nitrogen oxides make a maximum contribution to the occurrence of photochemical smog. Nitrogen dioxide which is relatively neutral in the troposphere, when entering stratosphere becomes active catalyst, causing depletion of the ozone layer.

Finally, coal combustion leads to the formation of extremely harmful persistent organic pollutants - dioxins and furans, surfactants, hydrocarbons, including dangerous benzopyrene, which have a very strong carcinogenic and mutagenic effects on humans.

Due to the increasing demand for coal as an efficient and reliable source of energy a dilemma between the urgency of solving the problems of energy efficiency and environmental safety is arisen.

Coal against the background of relatively higher prices for oil and natural gas, as well as the abundance of its inventory is a reliable and cost- efficient fuel in the Eurasian countries, including Kazakhstan (Figure 1) .

1990 year 2008 year Figure 1. Structure of consumption of primary energy sources in Kazakhstan.

The coal industry in Kazakhstan is one of the largest sectors of the economy. Energy balance of the Republic is composed of the major commodity markets of energy resources, the most important of which are the natural resources. Natural resources in the total amount of heat energy distribution make up 71.7%. As a part of the natural resources of the republic oil makes up 50.7%, including gas condensate, coal - 31.7%, natural gas - 17.6%.

Today the coal industry provides the production of the Republic of Kazakhstan 78% of the electricity that makes up almost 100 percent load of coke production. Coal resources fully ensure the needs of thermal power plants. To meet the demand of public sector of rapidly growing urban areas and respectively their population it is planned to increase production of low ash coal at Shubarkul and Maikuben deposits.

Coal reserves allows to meet the domestic needs and to export significant volumes of coal products.

In recent years, the geography of supply of Kazakh coal is expanded in the near and far abroad.

The main importers of Kazakh coal are power plants of Ural and Western Siberia in Russian Federation. Kazakhstan also exports coal to Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Hungary, Denmark, Poland, Romania, Turkey, Finland and other countries.

Most of the coal deposits are concentrated in Central (Karaganda and Ekibastuz coal basins, as well as field Shubarkol) and in Northern Kazakhstan (Turgay coal basin) (Figure 2).

Figure 2 - Location of balance reserves of coal in Kazakhstan.

All balance reserves of coking coal are located in the territory of Karaganda region. Karaganda basin includes mostly underground coal mines, which produce a high-quality coking coal with an ash content of 10 to 35 percent. In the basin there is a large reserves of gas, and for a long time methane is produced.

Ekibastuz basin is located north-east of Astana in Pavlodar region. In the basin mainly methane rich coal careers are concentrated. Ekibastuz coal has a high ash content of 35 to 50 percent. This coal is used mainly for domestic purposes, as well as for power generation in thermal power plants. The western and southern regions of the republic with significant industrial capacity are experienced acute shortage of coal consumption due to the different geographic location of deposits (Figure 3).

Figure 3 – Map of main deposits.

In Kazakhstan low-quality coals with high sulfur content dominate and cover more than 40% of primary energy demand. Coal resources used in the energy industry are characterized by a low level of enrichment. Exportable coal inconsistent with international standards is sold on the international market at relatively low prices.

With economic growth of Kazakhstan dependency on solid fuels will increase. To improve the efficiency of the fuel and energy sector the Program of coal industry development is adopted which provides for an increase in coal production, as well as its increasing use in heat and power generation based on the implementation of new technical solutions.

To meet the needs of newly introduced generating capacities on solid fuel under the Program of Forced Industrial-Innovative Development for 2010-2014 the Ministry has developed a Plan of coal industry development until 2015 with a vision to 2020. [2]

The Plan provides to achive in 2015 coal production to 131 million tonnes, i.e. the volume of coal production of the former Soviet Union, and then to reach in 2020 further increase by 20 million tons (Fig. 4).

Figure 4. Expected volumes of production and supply of coal (million tons).

In Kazakhstan the production of electricity is generated from traditional sources - thermal and hydro power plants (88% and 12%). As of 2010, installed capacity of thermal and hydroelectric power plants in the country amounted to 17 252 and 2 273 MW. Regionally, the highest volume capacity of thermal power plants (46.4%) is in the Pavlodar region, hydroelectric power plants (75.8%) in the East Kazakhstan region. In 2010 power capacity of thermal power plants in Aktobe, Atyrau, Kostanai, Mangistau and Pavlodar regions is slightly increased (Figure 5).

Figure 5. The installed electric capacity of thermal power plants (MW).

As of 2010 the installed thermal capacity of power stations of the republic amounted to 8,507 Gcal / h. Regionally, the largest amount of thermal power accounts for Karaganda (17.5%) and Pavlodar (13.3%) regions. Some increase in the thermal power in power stations in 2010 compared to 2009 - in Almaty and Atyrau regions (Fig. 6).

Figure 6. Installed thermal capacity of power stations (Gcal / h).

The total installed capacity of thermal power stations and thermal power generators in Kazakhstan, where the fuel is coal, is 14 300 MW (Table 1).

Table 1 - Energy sources of electricity and heat, using coal.

№п/п

Regions Titles of TES and CHP

1 Akmola CHP-1,2 ОJSC «Astanaenergyservice», CHP "KazSabton"2 Atyrau Electric utilities - Atyrau CHP with capacity of 215 MW, thermal power station of

Atyrau Refinery with capacity of 12 MW, gas turbine power plant in Tengiz deposit TES-144 with capacity of 156 MW, as well as gas turbine TES -480 designed for power supply of complete process lines, gas turbine power plant of "Tengizchevroil".

3 East-Kazakhstan “AES Ust-Kamenogorsk CHP », «AES Sogrinskaya CHP”, "Leninogorskaya CHP SCE" Teplokommunenergo "

4 Dzambul Jambul TPP named by Baturova "Zhambylenergokombinat."

5 West-Kazakhstan GTPP Company "Karachaganak Petroleum Operating Company BV"6 Karagandy Karaganda GRES-1, Karaganda GRES "Kazakhmys" corporation, CHP-1, 3 LP

"Karaganda-Zhylu" TPP-2 "Ispat-karmet" LLP, "Tentekskaya CHP," CHP-SA "Ispat-karmet" Zhezqazghan CHP "Kazakhmys" corporation, Balkhash TPP "Kazakhmys" corporation, CHP-2 JSC "ArcelorMittal Temirtau".

7 Kostanai CHP OSJC "SSGPO", GLP CHP, Kostanayskaya Heat Energy CHP and Arkalyk CHP, Rudnenskii CHP (JSC "SSGPO").

8 Kyzylorda GCHP Kumkol JSC "Petro Kazakhstan Kumkol Resources"9 Mangystau CHP-1, TCH МTES, NCH МTES10 Pavlodar Ekibastuz GRES-1, the station Ekibastuz GRES-2 (thermal coal plants), Aksusskaya

(Ermakovskaya) power plant, Pavlodar CHP-1 JSC "Kazakhstan Aluminium"

11 South-Kazakhstan CHP-1, 2,3,5 CJSC "Yuzhpolimetall", OJSC "Power center #3", Shymkent CHP-3, CHP PVS.

The main power in Kazakhstan is produced by 37 thermal power plants using coal of Ekibastuz, Maykuba Turgay and Karaganda basins (Fig. 3). The largest of them - GRES-1, GRES-2 and Aksusskaya (Ermakovskaya) power plant, which generates up to 14% of all electricity.

In general, the thermal power plants in Kazakhstan, working on the coals, have an efficiency of 33 - 35%. Power facilities, built in the 50s and 70s of the twentieth century, almost worked out production capacity. According to preliminary estimates depreciation coefficient of main electrical equipment for 2010 is 82%.

Combustion of mainly low calorie brown coal with high ash content (table 2) at coal-fired thermal power plants on incompatible with the standards boiler equipment that causes:- emissions into air contaminants in concentrations exceeding the maximum permissible limits, including significant amounts of "greenhouse gases" that affect climate change;- cluttering territories by ash dumps and heaps of waste rocks from which dust, ash and cinders are carried to tens of kilometers.- formation of harmful acid rains. Table 2 – Chemical analysis of Ekibastyz coal

Currently, the share of emissions from sources of energy system of Kazakhstan with its high dependence on coal as a primary energy source, makes up 43.7% of the emission of pollutants into the air in Central Asia [3].

The biggest polluters of the atmosphere (TES and CHP) are shown in Figure 7.

Figure 7. The share of large enterprises to air pollution.

Emissions from thermal power plants account for 70% of the total emissions of the energy complex (Northern zone - 92%, including regions of Karaganda - 39 - 42%, Pavlodar 38 - 39%).

The largest sources of emissions in the Central zone are "Ispat-Karmet" (36%) of "EEC" (15.5%).

The greatest amount of harmful emissions from stationary sources is emitted by non-ferrous metals industry - 29%, the second place takes power system industry - 23%, ferrous metals industry - 17%, oil and gas industry - 10%,

Indicator Data of analysisCalorific value, kcal / kg 3850The content, by weight %: 100carbon 40,69hydrogen 2,37oxigen 8,04nitrogen 0,82sulfur 0,61ash 47,6

others including the mining industry - 20%. Only 152,820 units of total 11,590 sources of emission are equipped by treatment facilities.

Emissions from industrial enterprises of Kazakhstan into the atmosphere make up more than three million tons per year, 85% of which comes from 43 large companies. During the period of 1990-2008 volume of emissions from stationary sources has decreased almost three times due to greater control, increasing the share of natural gas in the energy balance of the country, and also because of the decline in production in a number of industries. About three-quarters of emissions are associated with the work of air, rail, water and road transport ¹.

Pollutant emissions from stationary sources in 2010 compared to 2006 decreased by 11.3% (Fig. 8).

2 226,5

2 915,0

2 643,1

2 320,0

2 921,1

2 000,0

2 200,0

2 400,0

2 600,0

2 800,0

3 000,0

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Figure 8. Dynamics of emissions from stationary sources (thousand tons.).

Among the emissions mainly gaseous and liquid substance dominate, which volume in 2010 compared to 2008 decreased by 15.7%.

Particulate matter - 35%, sulfur dioxide - 31%, carbon monoxide, 19%, nitrogen oxides - 14% dominate in the emissions from various sources of the Unified Energy System

_________________________________________________________________________________

¹ Report of the Minister of Industry and New Technologies of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On the implementation SPFIID at a meeting of the

Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan on 14.02. 2012

The qualitative composition of the emissions is determined, first of all, by the type of fuel used by energy generation (table 3).

Table 3 - Dynamics of emissions from stationary sources of emissions (thousand tons).

2008 2009 2010

Total

including

Total

including

Total

including

Solid NO2 SO2 Solid NO2 SO2 Solid NO2 SO2

2643,1 688,7 212,2 1078,5 2320 639,1 206,6 779,8 2227 639,3 215,6 723,6

Gas is cleaned mainly of ash. Boilers are equipped with wet scrubbers, where the ash with a small amount of sulfur dioxide is collected. The degree of ash collection at the energy sources of the Unified Energy System on the average for the country increased from 95.9% - in 2000 to 97.5% - in 2009. Increased efficiency of ash collection is due mainly to use of emulsifiers. Reduction of emissions of nitrogen oxides by improving the technical methods of combustion in the boiler. Problem to reduce emissions at minimum cost can be solved by introducing new modern boilers or reconstruction of boiler plants in terms of operating thermoelectric plant.

However, the level of existing gas cleaning systems greatly inferior to modern requirements. Monitoring of atmospheric pollution in urban areas showed that Almaty, Zyryanovsk, Ust-Kamenogorsk, Temirtau, Taraz cities are areas with a high degree of environmental risk for public health.

Currently, government regulation and control of emissions is carried out in accordance with the Technical regulation [4].

In the above Technical Regulation it is proposed additions to differentiate emission requirements for boilers not subject to reconstruction, requiring reconstruction, as well as put into operation at the existing thermal power plants and at new thermal power plants. The proposal will ensure a gradual transition of power plants to a higher level of energy efficiency and environmental safety of coal burned.

Reducing emissions with increased energy needs, mainly depends on providing thermal power plants with high quality coal and use of innovative combustion technologies.

Comparison of specific emissions standards of foreign countries shows that at the energy sources in Kazakhstan there is a high specific emissions of particulate matter, which is certainly due to the use of high-ash Ekibastuz coal. Emissions of nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide, the average for the industry at the present stage of development may be considered acceptable. However, taking into account the current requirement of the Ministry of Health on the summation harmful effects of emissions of nitrogen and sulfur dioxides, development of industry especially in large industrial centers it is necessary to ensure the reduction of emissions of all pollutants. The goals, objectives and indicators of

emissions reduction are reflected in the Strategic Plan of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, Industry Program "Zhasyl damu" for 2010-2014 [5,6].

To achieve the target indicator to reduce emissions of pollutants compared with 2009 to 2014 no less than 5.9% the following activities will be provided: the development of a set of measures for industries, including the use of technologies that meet international standards, the introduction of automatical control on emissions at the sources and in the sanitary protection zones of industrial enterprises, construction of industrial gases treatment complex of Borisenko A.V. at JSC "Arcelor Mittal Temirtau", the creation of a unified scientific and production center of online monitoring and control of air, water, soil, food and drinking water in the East Kazakhstan region, the elimination of the effects of mines, coal mines and concentrating factories of "Karagandaugol", realization of the World Bank project on destruction of stockpiles and wastes of persistent organic pollutants and rehabilitation of contaminated territories, their detailed inventory, temporary warehouses of polychlorinated biphenyls-containing equipment and waste, removal and repacking of pesticides from warehouses and burials.

To reduce the negative impact on environment it is necessary to carry out a range of activities involving:improvement of fuel production and combustion technology, the introduction of technologies based on partially or fully closed cycles, the optimal location of industrial enterprises with the "wind rose", the creation of buffer zones around them, taking the most toxic plants out of cities and towns, rational construction layout and areas landscaping; stabilization and improvement of quality of environment, the creation of mechanisms for the transition to sustainable development; modernization and maintenance of hydro-meteorological and environmental monitoring.

Reduction of emissions into the environment will be ensured through the diversification and modernization of industrial facilities, implementation of the best available technologies. In accordance with experience of European Union integrated environmental permitions, including emission standards, criteria for energy efficiency, energy and resources saving, the timing and order of the transition to the best technologies are implemented.

To create mechanisms for the transition to a sustainable development of the Republic it is planned to reduce emissions of industrial enterprises through the setting of targets and quotas, the strengthening of state control, the introduction of environmental and economic incentives.

For modernization and maintenance of hydro-meteorological and environmental monitoring a phased upgrading of the National Hydrometeorological Service to automated system to monitor air quality is planned.

Reliable power supply of the economy and population of Kazakhstan is associated with the construction of new power facilities, expansion and

renovation of the existing, upgrading the national power grid, which will significantly reduce the opportunity costs of modern management mineral resources (Fig. 9).

Fig. 9. The relationship between the low efficiency of resource management programs and the size of lost profits (billions of dollars).

To ensure sustainable growth of the economy of the Republic in accordance with the Strategic Development Plan of 2020, the State Program of Forced Industrial-Innovative Development for 2010-2014, the priority development of the electricity industry is necessary. Unified power system of Kazakhstan is working steadily in parallel with the power of the Russian Federation and Central Asia countries. [7]

In this regard, projects for the implementation of these programs are a promising (Table 4).

Title of the projectProject

implementation period

Capacity,MW

Cost,

bn. TengeConstruction of the Balkhash thermal power plant 2009–2015 1320 366,6Construction of the Ural thermal power plant GRES 2010–2012 54 9,8Construction of Moinak hydropower station 2006–2012 300 54,1Construction thermal power plant GRES in Akshabulak 2010–2012 87 17,7Extension and reconstruction of of Atyrau CHP 2006–2010 75 16,4Construction of block 3 on the thermal power plant GRES-2 2009–2013 500 114,2

Recovery of block 8 of Ekibastuz thermal power plant 2010–2012 500 23,4

GRES-1Recovery of block 2 of Aksu thermal power plant GRES 2009–2011 325 12,9

Modernization of Shardaria hydropower station 2010–2015 116 13,5Power output of the Moinak hydropower station 2010–2012 - 10,3Construction of 500 kV “Alma” substation 2010–2014 - 30,0Modernization of NPS (II – stage) 2010–2016 - 52,0Construction of transformer substations in Almaty and Almaty region for the Asian Games 2011 2009–2011 - 19,9

Also the harmonization of national legislation on air protection to the obligations of Kazakhstan under ratified Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution and Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, and speeding up the process of ratification of its protocols are required. [8,9].

Currently, Kazakhstan is considering the ratification of the Protocol in frame of joint program of monitoring and evaluation of long-range transfer of pollutants in Europe (EMEP) - for heavy metals [10]. These international agreements regulate pollutant emissions from combustion of coal, namely, oxides of sulfur and nitrogen, and a variety of solid particulate matters (ash and dust), heavy metals - lead, mercury, cadmium, persistent organic pollutants.

Improving energy efficiency of existing thermal power plants in Kazakhstan, bringing them into line with international standards, according to research conducted in the Ukraine, where the coal is also an important source of mineral resources require less investment for the upgrade than to build new generations (Fig. 10).

The use of best available techniques for cleaning, efficiency of pollutants removal in the exhaust gases at the modernization of the existing generating capacity will significantly improve the environment while saving money.

Concept of Kazakhstan's transition to a "green economy" provides for measures to attract investors for the implementation of measures for energy saving and efficiency, including the provision of incentives through the setting tariffs and the provision of adequate incentives for substantial modernization of generating capacity and networks for the transmission of electric and thermal energy, as well as to stimulate supply. Also it is expected allocation of sufficient funds for the monitoring and implementation of international standards and mechanisms to improve energy efficiency. In the framework of technical measures for energy efficiency - energy audits, mandatory labeling, evaluation of technical condition of all the buildings utilities (boilers, heating systems, etc.), street lighting. Measures to improve energy efficiency in the industry include the development of energy efficiency standards and certification of all production equipment [11,12]. Measures to improve energy efficiency in the industry include the development of energy efficiency standards and certification of all production equipment [11,12].

Fig 10. The costs of investments to improve energy efficiency and construction of new generations (Ukraine).

For the development of electric power industry - measures to extend the life of existing plants while minimize their environmental impact to a minimum. For upgrading all existing power plants, development the forecast balance of electricity and heat with the outlook for 2050 with regard to the principles and indicators of the sector envisaged in the Concept of Kazakhstan's transition to a "green economy" will be provided [11,12].

Dust and gas cleaning installations to capture dust, sulfur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen will be provided in order to achieve modern standards for emissions of harmful substances in the planned modernization of power plants that will be used after 2020. For the reconstruction and construction of new power plants It is necessary to use the registry of advanced international technologies for heat and electricity production in terms of fuel efficiency and environmental safety providing air quality - an indicator of the "green economy."

REFERENCES:

1 The capacity building program for regional cooperation on priority of the Regional Plan of Action for the Protection of the Environment "Air Quality" in the project CAPACT (2012), p.25, Tashkent. 2 "The program on electricity development of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2010 - 2014 years, approved by the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan on April 14, 2010 # 302.3 The capacity building program for regional cooperation on priority of the Regional Plan of Action for the Protection of the Environment "Air Quality" in the project CAPACT (2012), p. 31, Tashkent.4 Technical Regulations "Requirements for emissions into the environment by burning different types of fuel in boilers of thermal power plants", approved by the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan on December 14, 2007 # 1232.5 On Amending Resolution of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan on February 8, 2011 #98 "On the Strategic Plan of the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2011 - 2015", the Resolution of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan on December 31, 2011 #1741. 6 Resolution of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan on September 10, 2010 # 924 On approval of the Industry Program "Zhasyl damu" for 2010-2014. 7 Report of the Vice-Minister D. Turganov (Ministry of Industry and New Technologies) Journal "ENERGY», # 1 (36) on February 2011, Almaty. 8 The Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan on October 23, 2000 #89-II «On accession of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution».9 The Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan on 07.06.2007 #259-3 «On ratification of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants."10 Joint program for monitoring and evaluation of long-range pollutants transfer in Europe (EMEP).11 The Action plan of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the implementation of the Concept of the Republic of Kazakhstan for the transition to a "green economy" in 2013 - 2020. 12 Resolution of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan on August 6, 2013 #750 On approval of the Action Plan for implementation of the Concept of the Republic of Kazakhstan for the transition to a "green economy" for 2013 - 2020.