Regional conversion to coal. Final report
This report describes an investigation of powerplant coal conversion, and the options and problems confronting a group of electric utility companies in an example region. The region selected for the study is New England, but the analysis format is valid for other regions having different specific co...
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2020
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| Online Access: | http://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/7044310 https://www.osti.gov/biblio/7044310 https://doi.org/10.2172/7044310 |
| Summary: | This report describes an investigation of powerplant coal conversion, and the options and problems confronting a group of electric utility companies in an example region. The region selected for the study is New England, but the analysis format is valid for other regions having different specific conditions but facing the same general conversion mandates. The report concludes that: (1) Because of its physical characteristics, simple conversion to coal of a utility steam boiler unit designed for oil or gas is not feasible. Boiler replacement of pre-boiler coal liquefaction or gasification would be required to make the conversion to coal. (2) Coal-oil mixture combustion is a promising concept for the partial displacement of oil that could have significant application in New England. (3) Coal-derived synthetic boiler fuels, primarily liquids, could play a significant role in the conversion of existing units, but their availability in sufficient quantities by 1990 is doubtful. (4) The region's indigenous coal and hydropower resources are not expected to impact the energy mix by 1990, if ever. (5) The mediation process conducted for the Brayton Point plant is exemplary and should be encouraged in other coal conversion efforts. Responsible environmental compromise, brought about by negotiations conducted in a spirit of cooperation, provided the catalyst for that conversion project and can do the same for others. (6) The coal conversion scenario outlined in this study describes one approach by which utility oil consumption could be reduced by about 35 million barrels per year by the year 1990. This scenario, one of many which could be theorized, could cost electric utility customers some 1 billion dollars (1980 dollars) and will have severe effects on the region's electric system reliability. |
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