Econo-environmental edge of LNWT in energy production

The study concentrates on the economics of three of the LNWT (low and nonwaste technology) in energy production, viz., co-generation of electricity and heat, Integrated Coal Gasification Combined Cycles (IGCC), and Pressurized Fluidized Bed Combustors (PFBC). The three technologies were compared to conventional coal power plant of the same size and producing the same level of emissions. The econo-environmental comparison has shown that in all the three cases the LNWTs have clear economic edge on the conventional coal power plant. This edge consists of pure economic savings and the savings which could have been otherwise spent in scrubbing of the emissions and pollutants such as; particulates, SOx, NOX and CO2. Thus in the long run and within the frame of comprehensive assessment the LNWTs turn to be cost effective. It is recommended to enlarge the scope of the present study to include other LNWTs used in energy production as anaerobic digestion, steam-injected gas turbines, fuel cells, etc.. The true cost effectiveness of these technologies could be valuated only after undertaking similar comprehensive assessments.