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Investigation of water-energy-emission nexus of air pollution control of the coal-fired power industry: A case study of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, China

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  • Wang, Chunyan
  • Li, Yaqing
  • Liu, Yi

Abstract

Coal-fired power generation is water- and energy-intensive and is associated with high emissions. As a result, China has issued a strict emission policy ("ultra-low emission control") for the coal-fired power industry. This study investigated the water, energy and emissions nexus (WEEN), focusing on end-of pipe treatment technologies for the coal-fired power industry in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. The result revealed that the energy consumption for pollutant removal was 1.2 million tons coal equivalent (Mtce) for the 118 investigated plants in 2014. Of the energy consumed, 60%, 11% and 29% was used for SO2, NOx and dust removal, respectively. Water consumption for pollutant removal was 13% of total water consumption for electricity generation. The result implied that this policy could reduce SO2, NOx and dust emissions by 89%, 90%, and 88%, respectively, while consuming an average of 2% less energy and 8% more water as tradeoffs. Construction cost associated with implementing these technology changes could be as high as 5–14 billion yuan in total. The synergies and tradeoffs quantified in this study provide numerical information that could assist with making decisions on the most suitable technology sets for emission control with consideration of water, energy, emissions and cost.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, Chunyan & Li, Yaqing & Liu, Yi, 2018. "Investigation of water-energy-emission nexus of air pollution control of the coal-fired power industry: A case study of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 115(C), pages 291-301.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:115:y:2018:i:c:p:291-301
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2018.01.035
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    3. Cong Hu & Biliang Hu & Xunpeng Shi & Yan Wu, 2020. "The Roles of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Coordinated Development Strategy in Industrial Energy and Related Pollutant Emission Intensities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-17, September.
    4. Fan, Jing-Li & Kong, Ling-Si & Zhang, Xian, 2018. "Synergetic effects of water and climate policy on energy-water nexus in China: A computable general equilibrium analysis," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 308-317.
    5. Yuqi Su & Yi Liang & Li Chai & Zixuan Han & Sai Ma & Jiaxuan Lyu & Zhiping Li & Liu Yang, 2019. "Water Degradation by China’s Fossil Fuels Production: A Life Cycle Assessment Based on an Input–Output Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(15), pages 1-12, July.
    6. Ding, Tao & Liang, Liang & Zhou, Kaile & Yang, Min & Wei, Yuqi, 2020. "Water-energy nexus: The origin, development and prospect," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 419(C).
    7. Yao, Wanxiang & Zheng, Zhimiao & Zhao, Jun & Wang, Xiao & Wang, Yan & Li, Xianli & Fu, Jidong, 2020. "The factor analysis of fog and haze under the coupling of multiple factors -- taking four Chinese cities as an example," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    8. Yu, Shiwei & Zheng, Shuhong & Zhang, Xuejiao & Gong, Chengzhu & Cheng, Jinhua, 2018. "Realizing China's goals on energy saving and pollution reduction: Industrial structure multi-objective optimization approach," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 300-312.
    9. Chu, Chu & Ritter, William & Sun, Xiaohui, 2019. "Spatial variances of water-energy nexus in China and its implications for provincial resource interdependence," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 487-502.
    10. Meng, Fanxin & Liu, Gengyuan & Liang, Sai & Su, Meirong & Yang, Zhifeng, 2019. "Critical review of the energy-water-carbon nexus in cities," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 171(C), pages 1017-1032.
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