Thermoecological cost of electricity generation in coal fired steam power plants

The depletion of the limited non-renewable resources is one of the most important factor for the future existence of mankind. Exergy can be applied as a measure of the quality of limited natural resources. The thermoecological cost can be defined as cumulative exergy consumption of nonrenewable natural resources connected with the production of some particular product and the additional cumulative exergy consumption connected with prevention and compensation of environmental losses. The paper presents the analysis of the thermoecological cost of electricity production in coal-fired steam power plants. The methodology of evaluating the thermoecological cost taking into account life cycle of considered product is discussed. The paper includes also the description of the method of calculation of the thermoecological cost resulting from rejection of harmful substances to natural environment. In this case two methods are discussed: the first method is based on monetary indices of harmful impacts of the waste products rejected to natural environment and the second is based on the idea of abatement cost. Results of calculations of the thermoecological cost of electricity taking into account life cycle of installation have been presented. Calculations have been made for Polish conditions, where majority of electricity is produced in coal fired (energy hard coal and lignite) steam power plant.