Economic evaluation of A-USC power plant with CO2 capture unit

Achieving CO 2 emission control while keeping electricity prices competitive is one of the most important economic and technical challenges. The strategy for lowering the CO 2 emission from the coal-based power plants includes first of all raising electricity generation efficiency. Currently, steam temperatures in ultra-supercritical (USC) power plants are limited to approximately 627oC by the use of the most advanced commercially available ferritic steels. To go to higher temperatures, high-nickel alloys must be used. The nickel alloys are at an advanced stage of development and are expected to be available to support construction of a demonstration plant in Europe in 2021. For pulverized coal (PC) plants the development means progressing to advanced ultra-supercritical (A-USC) steam conditions - 35MPa/700/720oC. It turned out that the concept consists in gradually raising the live steam temperature and pressure can become economically unjustified. Cost-effectiveness of new investments can be provided only by a significant increase in the efficiency of electricity generation. In the paper the economic evaluation of 900 MW PC unit is presented. The main aim is to compare the cost of electricity generation in USC (28MPa/600/620oC) and A-USC (35MPa/700/720oC) power unit. The variants with CO 2 capture installation by chemical absorption MEA are considered. Compared to a USC design, the capital cost of the A-USC PC plant will be higher, but the operating cost will be lower. Because of the higher efficiency of the A-USC plant, the differential in operating cost increases as fuel price increases and CO 2 cost charges are included.