Assessment of water consumption of coal-based thermal power plants and impact of environmental regulation on power sector
Student name: Mr Priyank Jain
Guide: Dr Arun Kansal
Year of completion: 2016
Host Organisation: GE Water & Process Technologies, India
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Mr Ritesh Saxena
Abstract: Water and energy are vital inputs for human development. Population is increasing
and so is demand for water energy. But the increase in demand is augmented and
enhanced by economic growth and urbanization. This is putting natural resources
under a great stress. Similar pattern of exploitation since industrial revolution has
paced up some uncertain changes in the climate. Altogether, this indicates towards
a water and energy scarce future. The water and energy which itself are linked to
each other complicate it further. Water is in input for energy production and energy
is necessary for water production and distribution. How the water requirements of
energy production be mate is a big question.
Coal-based power generation which has a substantial share in power generation
world-wide and dominate the space in India and is projected to continue, withdraws
and consumes enormous amount of water. Water is a working fluid in this process
and is also used as a cooling medium. The water footprint of coal-based power
generation has adverse implication for the region. A proper study of water systems
and water balance of a coal-based power plant indicates a lot of opportunity is
present to reduce its water requirements with the existing technology.
A detailed survey of water systems of power plants suggests focus on cooling tower
just to meet the new compliance norms may not be very helpful in long-term. A
complete understanding of water systems, process flow and operational parameters
is necessary to achieve maximum possible water efficiency. Sole Dependence on
compliance to the regulatory norms is not enough. The focus has to shift to reducing
the water footprint and making use every unit of water in sustainable manner.
Keywords: Water Footprint; Water-Energy Nexus; Water Balance; Coal-Based
Thermal Power Generation; Water-Scarce Future
