IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/energy/v220y2021ics0360544220328413.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Techno-economic and environmental implications of decarbonization process applied for Romanian fossil-based power generation sector

Author

Listed:
  • Cormos, Calin-Cristian
  • Dinca, Cristian

Abstract

This study estimates the technical, economic and environmental impact of decarbonization strategy on Romanian fossil power generation sector. Two post-combustion decarbonization options are considered either for existing power plant retrofit or new investment based on current conventional designs: a technological and commercial mature chemical scrubbing process using methyl-diethanol-amine (MDEA) and one more innovative and energy-efficient gas-solid process using calcium looping (CaL). Considering the Romanian power generation sector conditions, natural gas, hard coal and lignite were assessed as fuels. The decarbonized designs have 1000 MW net electricity output to permit an easier scale-up calculation with 90% CO2 capture rate. The non-decarbonized designs are also assessed to quantify the decarbonization energy and economic costs. It was shown that the decarbonization of Romanian fossil-fired electricity plants has significant benefits in term of increasing overall energy efficiency (from current 30–33% for coal and lignite and 35–39% for natural gas to 32.5–36% and 48–52% respectively) as well as reducing the cost of electricity (from current 80–120 €/MWh to 55–85 €/MWh). The investment effort to replace all fossil fleet (both gas and coal) with new modern units is foreseen to be substantial (about 11.2–14.9 billion Euro). A detailed environmental analysis was provided to assess the overall impact of decarbonization.

Suggested Citation

  • Cormos, Calin-Cristian & Dinca, Cristian, 2021. "Techno-economic and environmental implications of decarbonization process applied for Romanian fossil-based power generation sector," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 220(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:220:y:2021:i:c:s0360544220328413
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2020.119734
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544220328413
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.energy.2020.119734?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sofia, Daniele & Gioiella, Filomena & Lotrecchiano, Nicoletta & Giuliano, Aristide, 2020. "Cost-benefit analysis to support decarbonization scenario for 2030: A case study in Italy," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    2. Cormos, Calin-Cristian, 2020. "Energy and cost efficient manganese chemical looping air separation cycle for decarbonized power generation based on oxy-fuel combustion and gasification," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    3. Wang, Meihong & Joel, Atuman S. & Ramshaw, Colin & Eimer, Dag & Musa, Nuhu M., 2015. "Process intensification for post-combustion CO2 capture with chemical absorption: A critical review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 275-291.
    4. Ye, Chusheng & Ye, Qin & Shi, Xunpeng & Sun, Yongping, 2020. "Technology gap, global value chain and carbon intensity: Evidence from global manufacturing industries," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    5. Domínguez, R. & Carrión, M. & Oggioni, G., 2020. "Planning and operating a renewable-dominated European power system under uncertainty," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).
    6. Pettinau, Alberto & Ferrara, Francesca & Tola, Vittorio & Cau, Giorgio, 2017. "Techno-economic comparison between different technologies for CO2-free power generation from coal," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 193(C), pages 426-439.
    7. Akachuku, Ananda & Osei, Priscilla Anima & Decardi-Nelson, Benjamin & Srisang, Wayuta & Pouryousefi, Fatima & Ibrahim, Hussameldin & Idem, Raphael, 2019. "Experimental and kinetic study of the catalytic desorption of CO2 from CO2-loaded monoethanolamine (MEA) and blended monoethanolamine – Methyl-diethanolamine (MEA-MDEA) solutions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 475-489.
    8. Rissman, Jeffrey & Bataille, Chris & Masanet, Eric & Aden, Nate & Morrow, William R. & Zhou, Nan & Elliott, Neal & Dell, Rebecca & Heeren, Niko & Huckestein, Brigitta & Cresko, Joe & Miller, Sabbie A., 2020. "Technologies and policies to decarbonize global industry: Review and assessment of mitigation drivers through 2070," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 266(C).
    9. Papadis, Elisa & Tsatsaronis, George, 2020. "Challenges in the decarbonization of the energy sector," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 205(C).
    10. Erans, María & Jeremias, Michal & Zheng, Liya & Yao, Joseph G. & Blamey, John & Manovic, Vasilije & Fennell, Paul S. & Anthony, Edward J., 2018. "Pilot testing of enhanced sorbents for calcium looping with cement production," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 225(C), pages 392-401.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Zhang, Ruchuan & Wei, Qian & Li, Aijun & Ren, LiYing, 2022. "Measuring efficiency and technology inequality of China's electricity generation and transmission system: A new approach of network Data Envelopment Analysis prospect cross-efficiency models," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 246(C).
    2. Cormos, Ana-Maria & Petrescu, Letitia & Cormos, Calin-Cristian, 2023. "Techno-economic implications of time-flexible operation for iron-based chemical looping combustion cycle with energy storage capability," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 278(C).
    3. Piciu Gabriela-Cornelia, 2021. "Decarbonisation Of Economy In Romania," Annals - Economy Series, Constantin Brancusi University, Faculty of Economics, vol. 5, pages 98-104, October.
    4. Calin-Cristian Cormos & Letitia Petrescu & Ana-Maria Cormos & Cristian Dinca, 2021. "Assessment of Hybrid Solvent—Membrane Configurations for Post-Combustion CO 2 Capture for Super-Critical Power Plants," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-12, August.
    5. Cormos, Calin-Cristian, 2023. "Green hydrogen production from decarbonized biomass gasification: An integrated techno-economic and environmental analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 270(C).
    6. Galusnyak, Stefan Cristian & Petrescu, Letitia & Chisalita, Dora Andreea & Cormos, Calin-Cristian, 2022. "Life cycle assessment of methanol production and conversion into various chemical intermediates and products," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 259(C).
    7. Khan, Rabnawaz, 2023. "The impact of a new techno-nationalism era on eco-economic decoupling," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    8. Maytham Alabid & Cristian Dinca, 2022. "Parametrization Study for Optimal Pre-Combustion Integration of Membrane Processes in BIGCC," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-19, December.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Madurai Elavarasan, Rajvikram & Pugazhendhi, Rishi & Irfan, Muhammad & Mihet-Popa, Lucian & Khan, Irfan Ahmad & Campana, Pietro Elia, 2022. "State-of-the-art sustainable approaches for deeper decarbonization in Europe – An endowment to climate neutral vision," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    2. Peter Viebahn & Emile J. L. Chappin, 2018. "Scrutinising the Gap between the Expected and Actual Deployment of Carbon Capture and Storage—A Bibliometric Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-45, September.
    3. Negrete, Moira & Fuentes, Marcelo & Kraslawski, Andrzej & Irarrazaval, Felipe & Herrera-León, Sebastián, 2024. "Socio-environmental implications of the decarbonization of copper and lithium mining and mineral processing," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
    4. Wienchol, Paulina & Szlęk, Andrzej & Ditaranto, Mario, 2020. "Waste-to-energy technology integrated with carbon capture – Challenges and opportunities," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 198(C).
    5. Yuan, Zijun & Zhang, Heng & Cheng, Haozhong & Zhang, Shenxi & Zhang, Xiaohu & Lu, Jianzhong, 2024. "Low-carbon oriented power system expansion planning considering the long-term uncertainties of transition tasks," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 307(C).
    6. Olympia Nisiforou & Louisa Marie Shakou & Afroditi Magou & Alexandros G. Charalambides, 2022. "A Roadmap towards the Decarbonization of Shipping: A Participatory Approach in Cyprus," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-27, February.
    7. Calin-Cristian Cormos & Letitia Petrescu & Ana-Maria Cormos & Cristian Dinca, 2021. "Assessment of Hybrid Solvent—Membrane Configurations for Post-Combustion CO 2 Capture for Super-Critical Power Plants," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-12, August.
    8. Fábio T. F. Silva & Alexandre Szklo & Amanda Vinhoza & Ana Célia Nogueira & André F. P. Lucena & Antônio Marcos Mendonça & Camilla Marcolino & Felipe Nunes & Francielle M. Carvalho & Isabela Tagomori , 2022. "Inter-sectoral prioritization of climate technologies: insights from a Technology Needs Assessment for mitigation in Brazil," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 27(7), pages 1-39, October.
    9. Qi, Meng & Park, Jinwoo & Lee, Inkyu & Moon, Il, 2022. "Liquid air as an emerging energy vector towards carbon neutrality: A multi-scale systems perspective," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    10. Mayyas Alsalman & Vian Ahmed & Zied Bahroun & Sara Saboor, 2023. "An Economic Analysis of Solar Energy Generation Policies in the UAE," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-25, March.
    11. Al-Jabri, Hareb & Das, Probir & Khan, Shoyeb & AbdulQuadir, Mohammad & Thaher, Mehmoud Ibrahim & Hoekman, Kent & Hawari, Alaa H., 2022. "A comparison of bio-crude oil production from five marine microalgae – Using life cycle analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 251(C).
    12. Łukasz Jarosław Kozar & Robert Matusiak & Marta Paduszyńska & Adam Sulich, 2022. "Green Jobs in the EU Renewable Energy Sector: Quantile Regression Approach," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-21, September.
    13. Mardones, Cristian, 2021. "Ex-post evaluation and cost-benefit analysis of a heater replacement program implemented in southern Chile," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 227(C).
    14. Vega, F. & Baena-Moreno, F.M. & Gallego Fernández, Luz M. & Portillo, E. & Navarrete, B. & Zhang, Zhien, 2020. "Current status of CO2 chemical absorption research applied to CCS: Towards full deployment at industrial scale," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 260(C).
    15. Verdone, Alessio & Scardapane, Simone & Panella, Massimo, 2024. "Explainable Spatio-Temporal Graph Neural Networks for multi-site photovoltaic energy production," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 353(PB).
    16. Ghorbani, Bahram & Mehrpooya, Mehdi & Ghasemzadeh, Hossein, 2018. "Investigation of a hybrid water desalination, oxy-fuel power generation and CO2 liquefaction process," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 1105-1119.
    17. Cagli, Efe Caglar, 2023. "The volatility spillover between battery metals and future mobility stocks: Evidence from the time-varying frequency connectedness approach," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 86(PA).
    18. Besagni, Giorgio & Premoli Vilà, Lidia & Borgarello, Marco & Trabucchi, Andrea & Merlo, Marco & Rodeschini, Jacopo & Finazzi, Francesco, 2021. "Electrification pathways of the Italian residential sector under socio-demographic constrains: Looking towards 2040," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 217(C).
    19. Zhen Wang & Xupeng Zhang & Chaozheng Zhang & Qing Yang, 2022. "How Regional Integration Affects Urban Green Development Efficiency: Evidence from Urban Agglomeration in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-16, June.
    20. Martins, Flavio Pinheiro & De-León Almaraz, Sofía & Botelho Junior, Amilton Barbosa & Azzaro-Pantel, Catherine & Parikh, Priti, 2024. "Hydrogen and the sustainable development goals: Synergies and trade-offs," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 204(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:220:y:2021:i:c:s0360544220328413. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/energy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.