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Program for Computational Reactive Mechanics (PCRM)

Anthropogenic Emissions from energy activities in India:
Generation and Source Characterization

Part I: Emissions from Coal Fired Thermal Power Plants

Coal is the primary fuel for energy in India, followed by petroleum, and natural gas. India is third-largest producer of coal in the world. According to Geological Survey of India's estimates, coal reserves were 212 billion tones as on January 1,2000. The state-wise distribution of coal reserves and coal types (as per their geological formation) are as follows:

Table 3: Coal reserves (Million tones) in India

According to National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), coal is used for approximately 62.3% of electric power generation in India, oil and gas accounts for 10.2%, hydro's share is 24.1%, nuclear, wind, and other contribute remaining 3.4%. In 1997-98, total electricity generation was 465824.87GWH by all the prime movers (Steam, Gas, Diesel, Wind, Nuclear, and Hydro) compared to 436729.53 GWH during 1996-97. Table 4 gives the gross generation of electricity by different types of prime movers, as given by Central Electricity Authority (CEA). This includes electricity generation by utilities and captive plants. Public utilities used steam in generation of 300730.48 GWH electricity and captive plants in generation of 30685.70 GWH.

³Proved reserves are estimated on dimensions extended from 0 to 200 meters on geological evidence.
⁴ Indicated reserves are estimated from a line drawn 1000 meters to 2000 meters from the outcrop.
⁵ Inferred reserves refer to coal for which quantitative estimates are based largely on broad knowledge of the geological character of the bed, but for which there are no measurements. The estimates are based on an assumed continuity for which there is geological evidence.
⁶Giga watts hours
* includes diesel, wind, gas, and wind (TEDDY 2000/2001 by Tata Energy Research Institute, New Delhi)

Along with coal, small quantity of supplementary petroleum fuels (furnace oil and diesel) is also used for flame stability in the boiler. Table 5 gives the consumption of fossil fuels as given by CEA, in the thermal power plants during 1997-98.

Table 5: Fossil fuel consumption at thermal plants for 1997-98

⁷LSHS/HHS: Low Sulfur Heavy Stock/High Sulfur Heavy stock