NTPC Limited has achieved a new milestone by successfully demonstrating co-firing of 20 percent torrefied biomass at its Unit# 4 at Tanda in UP, thereby marking a significant stride towards building a sustainable future.
The initiative, a first of its kind in the Indian Power Sector, showcases NTPC's commitment to decarbonizing existing coal-fired fleets and advancing towards net zero emission targets.
Earlier, NTPC established co-firing of 7 percent to 10 percent non-torrefied biomass with coal at NTPC Dadri. However, to achieve higher percentages of biomass co-firing without major modifications, the possibility of using torrefied biomass was explored by Energy Transition and Policy Research Division of NTPC Engineering.
Torrefied biomass, produced by heating biomass in the absence of oxygen, exhibits characteristics akin to coal, making it suitable for higher co-firing percentages without significant system modifications. The Gross Calorific Value (GCV) and cost of torrefied biomass pellets are currently equivalent to imported coal.
NTPC's endeavor towards decarbonization includes exploring biomass co-firing in both existing and new coal power plants. Each percent of biomass co-firing has the potential to reduce Carbon Emissions by approximately the same percentage. Additionally, biomass co-firing also mitigates air pollution caused by direct burning of stubble in the fields by the farmers.
