the solid fuels sector in greece: current status, national

The Solid Fuels Sector in Greece: The Solid Fuels Sector in Greece: Current status, National Priorities Current status, National Priorities

and Future Trendsand Future Trends

Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH)/Institute for Solid Fuels Technology and Applications (ISFTA)

Lisbon, December 2003

Dr. N. Koukouzas, Dr. D. Giannakopoulos, Prof. Em. Kakaras

FENCO Workshop

Centre for Research and Technology Hellas / Institute for Solid Fuels Technology and Applications CERTH/ISFTA

Contents

• The Greek energy Sector

• Lignite Mines and Power Plants

• National Priorities – Tools for development

• Environmental Issues

• Future Trends in the Coal Sector

• Liberalization of the Energy Market

• Research Activities

• Conclusions


The Greek Energy Sector (I)

Primary Energy Production in Greece

Source : European Commission , 2001 Annual Energy Review

In Greece, coal, mainly lignite has the most significant share of primary energy production (84% of TPES)

Oil, natural gas , hydro and wind play a smaller role


The Greek Energy Sector (II)

Electricity generation in Greece (in TWh)

Thermal energy production plants contributes significantly to electricity generation increasing its share from 24.13 TWh in 1985 to 44.63TWh in 1999



The Greek Energy Sector (III)

Fuel Inputs for Thermal Power Generation in Greece (1985-1999)


Coal (lignite) satisfies over 67% of the country’s needs in electric power

The remainder is covered by oil (19%), hydroelectric (10%), RES (0.1%) and imported electricity (2%)


Lignite Mines & Power Plants (I)

Main quality features of the Greek lignite

Greek lignite is of low quality, characterised by low calorific value and high moisture and ash content

Greek coal-fired plantsSeven thermal stations with a total capacity 5.288 MWe

Pulverized coal combustion technology

Operational characteristics- efficiency 32%- availability 80%


10% of the installed power is generated by power plants commissioned before1970

30% corresponds to units aged from 20 to 30 years

Greek power plants are relatively younger compared to average European power plants

In 2010, approximately 37.5 % of the existing lignite-fired power plants, which produce 49.2 % of electricity in Greece, will reach 30 years of their operational life

Renovation of the old units which exhibit poor performance or their substitution by new units is currently under investigation

Lignite Mines & Power Plants (II)

Status of the Greek coal-fired power plants


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Lignite Mines & Power Plants (III)

Capacity distribution of the Greek coal-fired power plants in five ranges

Distribution of the Greek coal-fired power plants according to their age


Lignite Mines & Power Plants (IV)

Correlation of the Greek coal-fired power plants efficiency with their commissioning year


National Priorities: Tools for development (I)

Ministry of Development / OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME “COMPETITIVENESS”

Energy - Natural Resources SectorMeasures are taken with respect to :

Fulfilment of the international environment goals ( limitation of GHG emissions) and globalisation of energy markets, allowing the creation of regional markets for electricity and natural gas.

Promotion of EU strategy for the growth of RES share and co-production to the energy balance by 2010, and improvement of energy efficiency, Liberalisation of the markets for electricity and natural gas, from 2001 and after 2006 respectively.

Characteristics of the energy system, with great dependence on imports, increase in demand, high energy intensity, lack of well-established connections with European natural gas and electricity networks, problems in covering the energy needs of islands and some other areas, and the predominance of the public sector in the markets for electricity and natural gas.


National Priorities: Tools for development (II)

PRIORITY AXIS 1: IMPROVING THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENTMeasure 1.1: Industrial, technological and business infrastructuresMeasure 1.2: National Quality SystemMeasure 1.3: Simplification of the business environmentMeasure 1.4: Structures for the support of SMEs

PRIORITY AXIS 2: SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT OF BUSINESSINITIATIVES

Measure 2.1: Aid for investment in co-production, renewable energy sources (RESs) and energy saving systems

Measure 2.2: Upgrading of accommodation and aid for small and medium-sized tourism enterprises (SMEs)

Measure 2.3: Aid for private investment (Law 2601/98) in the Processing sectorMeasure 2.4: Continuing investment (development Law 2601/98)Measure 2.5: Technological and organisational modernisation of businessesMeasure 2.6: Finance credit support for SMEs and Very Small Enterprises (VSEs)Measure 2.7: Support for the competitiveness of SMEs and VSEsMeasure 2.8: Encouragement of business initiatives by various population groupsMeasure 2.9: Support for business initiatives in the environmental sector


National Priorities: Tools for development (III)

PRIORITY AXIS 3: PROMOTION OF EXCELLENCE IN BUSINESS ACTIVITYMeasure 3.1: Promotion of business excellence in the energy sectorMeasure 3.2: Promotion of business excellence in processing and tourism enterprisesMeasure 3.3: Promotion of excellence in technological development and research

PRIORITY AXIS 4: TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION AND RESEARCHMeasure 4.1: Support of research units for the standardisation and commercial

exploitation of research results. Location and utilisation of research results by the creation of new enterprises (Spin-off)

Measure 4.2: Incubators for new knowledge-intensive companies in science & technology parks and research centres with the participation of businesses

Measure 4.3: Encouragement of research and the transfer and spread of technology in companies. Support for activities of international scientific and technological cooperation and technology transfer

Measure 4.4: Increasing public awareness of new technologies. Support and formulation of R & T policy. Management of R & T information

Measure 4.5: Co-operatives for research and technological development in sectors of national priority


National Priorities: Tools for development (IV)

PRIORITY AXIS 5: DIFFERENTIATION OF THE TOURISM PRODUCT -PROMOTION OF GREECE AS A TOURIST DESTINATION

PRIORITY AXIS 6: SECURING THE ENERGY SUPPLY AND PR0MOTING LIBERALISATION OF THE ENERGY MARKET

Measure 6.1: Access to alternative natural gas supply sourcesMeasure 6.2: Support for the flexibility, stability and reliability of the natural gas systemMeasure 6.3: Special energy infrastructures for islands and for the promotion of

renewable energy sources (RESs)Measure 6.4: Operation of the liberalised energy market

PRIORITY AXIS 7: ENERGY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENTMeasure 7.1: Adoption of the use of natural gas in the domestic and tertiary sector, by 1

new industrial consumers, and in the transport sectorMeasure 7.2: Infrastructure for the safety of oil products storage and transportMeasure 7.3: Utilisation of natural resources and support for compliance with

environmental commitmentsPRIORITY AXIS 8: HUMAN RESOURCESPRIORITY AXIS 9: TECHNICAL AID


Environmental Issues

Large Combustion Plant Directive (88/609/EEC) (EC-LCP Directive)

The emissions of Greek power plants are regulated by the National EmissionsCeilings (NEC), in issue for Greece requiring

In 2003 SO2 emissions +6% (abs.) or -45% (adjusted) compared to 1980 NOx emissions +94% (abs.) or 0% (adjusted)

Commitment to the goals of Kyoto protocol for CO2 emission reduction which is for Greece an increase of +25% for GHG in 2010 compared to 1990


Future trends in the Coal sector (I)

Measures to reduce CO2 emissions

Increase of the natural gas share into the electricity generation mix

Completion of the hydroelectric development projects

Introduction of plants that could utilise renewable energy sources

Improvement of the lignite-fired power plants efficiency

Participation in programmes on the rational use of electricity


Future trends in the Coal sector (II)

Measures to increase the lignite – fired power plant’s efficiency

Identification of the loss sources of every unit.

Improvement of the cold end by replacing the blades of the last stages of the steam turbine and by reducing the condenser pressure.

Optimisation of the beater wheel mills operation.

Combination of natural gas-fired turbines with the existing boilers in order to increase the highest temperature of the thermodynamic cycle and consequently the overall efficiency.


Future trends in the Coal sector (III)

Exploitation of new coal fields

New coal fields will be exploited in Florina basis in order to satisfy the needs of the two units of 330 MWe located at Meliti, Florina, Northern Greece

The Florina power plant will be the last coal-fired plant to be built in the country

229 million tons of economically recoverable reserves (xylitic type) exist in

Florina basis


Clean Coal Technologies (CCTs)

Future trends in the Coal sector (IV)

PFBC (Pressurised Fluidised Bed Combustion )- Favourable solution to CO2 and SO 2 emission problem- no limestome required- problems with high moisture lignites- investment cost 900 €/kW

SC (supercritical power plant)- optimisation of power unit efficiency- installation of additional units to reduce emissions- investment cost 850 €/kW

IGCC (Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle)- significant reduced emissions- coal of high calorific value and high volatile matter is required- pelletizing of Greek lignite is required- investment cost 1550 €/kW


Liberalisation of the Energy Market (I)

Public Power Corporation (PPC) was, until today, the state-owned monopoly utility responsible for generation, transmission, and distribution throughout the country

27% of Greece's power market has been open to competition since 2001

PPC plans inhibit real competitions by creating a large surplus

Overseeing of market opening by the Regulatory Authority of Energy


Liberalisation of the Energy Market (II)

Security of Energy Supply

Greece's annual electricity demand is forecast to grow by about 2.7% within the next decade

the expanded needs for energy will be met by: - the constructions of natural gas and lignite-fired power stations- the expansion of natural gas network (new pipeline with Italy and Turkey)- construction of oil pipeline , Burgas – Alexandroupolis- connection with the Turkish electric power grids (under consideration)


Research Activities (I)

The General Secretariat of Research and Technology and the PPC finance several projects concerning :

environmental studies of coal by-products

physical, chemical and geological studies of the Greek deposits

studies for the assessment of exploitation of lignite

National Funded Research Projects


Research Activities (II)

EU Funded Research Projects

Optimization of lignite-fired power plants environmental performance (measures for the minimization of GHGs)

CO2 capture and sequestration

Clean Coal Technologies (IGCC, PFBC, AFBC)

Optimization and monitoring of coal burners performance (Slugging and Fouling problems)


327.468 / 206.3051401/04/03NNE5/2002/97Cleaner Fossil Fuels OPET8

39.000 / 28.0801401/04/03NNE5/2002/52

Combined Heat & Power – District Heating Cluster OPET7

200.000 / 100.0002401/01/03ΚΟΙ.050110Circulating Fluidised Bed for the Clean and very Efficient Retrofit of an Existing Coal-Fired Power Plant

6

250.000 / 250.0002001/04/02DIA.050107Excellence: A tool for Development5

485.000 / 242.5003601/08/02KOI.050101Multi Fuel Operated Integrated Clean Energy Process: Thermal Description Recycle-Reduce-Reuse Technology

4

205.000 / 102.5002426/07/02ΚΟΙ.050100Promotion οf Renovation Activities in the Russian Energy Sector3

318.890 / 159.4453601/10/02KOI.050103Energy Wood Production Chains in Europe2

55.116 / 55.1162410/05/03DIA.050205Utilisation of Landfills’ Biogas for Environmental Protection1

ON

GOING

pROJECTS

Total Budget/ Funding(euro)

Duration (months)

Starting DateContract Nr.Project TitleNr

Research Activities (III)

ISFTA Projects


Research Activities (IV)

New topics for the development of power production technologies :

• New ultra supercritical PF plants

• Operation of large capacity CFB plant

• Design of novel concepts with reduced CO2 emissions

• Operation of novel systems for decentralised applications ( SOFC hybridiccycles, micro-turbines )

• CO2 sequestration

• Renewable energy sources

• Use of hydrogen as an energy carrier


Conclusions (I)

Even though the Greek lignite deposits are abundant and easily reached, the quality of lignite is low and needs special treatment before combustion

Homogenised quality of lignite need to be produced from the new lignite open-cast mines to feed the new Florina power plant in order to avoid problems in the plant’s boilers

Certain modifications, such as the installation of additional desulphurization units and the replacement of all electrostatic precipitators will be needed in order to comply with the new European Commission regulations on power plant emissions

EU regulations raise obstacles for lignite firing although it is low in sulphur.


Conclusions (II)

The Greek lignite needs to be competitive in the new energy liberalised market by improving mining and combustion conditions. The utilisation of the fly ash and land reclamation can improve the situation in lignite mining, while the use of clean coal technologies in the power plants can solve many emission problems

Pressurised Fluidised Bed Combustion (PFBC) is proposed as an environmentally-friendly and cost effective technology that might be suitable for the optimization of Power Plant Parks in Greece. PFBC might be operated as CHP (Central Heat and Power) Unit to meet the electricity and heating demands of a specific decentralized region of Greece.

the solid fuels sector in greece: current status, national

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