Coal news and updates

Japan Coal Energy Centre conducts studies on 8 power units

Japan Coal Energy Centre (JCOAL) has conducted efficiency studies on eight power generation units including that of NTPC, AP Genco and DVC and sees potential to improve performance.

It is planning to take up similar studies on power projects in other states in the country for follow up works engaging Japanese companies.

Koichi Inoue, Senior Deputy Director of the Coal Division of the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy Ministry of Japan, said that JCOAL conducted studies on Ramagundam, Kahalgam, Unchahar, Badarpur plants of NTPC, Wanakbori of GSECL and AP Genco project of Narla Tata Rao Thermal Power Station and Durgapur plant of Damodar Valley Corporation.

These studies were conducted involving operation teams from Japanese power companies and equipment manufacturers. Following detailed studies, they suggested turbine rehabilitation, operational control and changes in other aspects of power plants. JCOAL is now following up on the process introducing Japanese financial schemes and case studies on cost benefit analysis.

He said that Babcock-Hitachi and Toshiba will provide additional back up and diagnosis for follow up improvements on various power projects. This will improve the efficiencies of existing power projects.

NUCLEAR PLANTS

Referring to Great East Earthquake when the Japanese nuclear plants stopped operation due to safety concerns, the power demand balance was destabilised. Some of the old stations using LNG were reopened. The nuclear power stations may restart after their safety has been fully established, he said.