Operators of coal-fired power plants plan to switch to burning biomass instead of coal in the not too distant future. They see this as an important contribution to climate protection and stabilization of the entire power generation system. About this writes the German edition of Handelsblatt with reference to the expert opinion of the consulting firm Enervis.
Biomass retrofitting of coal-fired power plants can "not only make a significant contribution to the rapid reduction of CO 2 emissions, but also serve to maintain the reliable operation of a system that already has complete infrastructure," says the report. which was ordered by the German power plant operators EnBW, Enviva and Onyx Germany.
Modernization is technically feasible and practiced internationally, Enervis experts continue. The only alternative is the construction of new power plants. The argument touches on the main problem of ditching coal, which is uninterrupted supply of energy regardless of weather conditions or time of day.
The move away from coal creates a shortage of reliable power plant capacity, which must always be available when the wind is not blowing and the sun is not shining. In the absence of such energy, batteries can help, collecting and distributing electricity depending on the needs of consumers. However, at the moment such technologies are very expensive and ineffective.
A Tesla subsidiary erected a large battery pack in Texas after the state experienced power supply problems following a blizzard in February.
Ukraine is also building a "huge battery" with the participation of American and Canadian companies. According to Natalia Yemchenko, Communications Director at System Capital Management, DTEK will build the first energy storage unit in Ukraine in the Zaporozhye region, and will put it into operation in May.
