The Impact of Coal and Biomass Co-Firing on the Economy of Power Plant Carbon Capture

Abstract

A detailed economic evaluation was carried out to determine the impact of biomass and coal co-firing on power plant carbon capture by methods of plants equipment designing factors and performance, and the sum up of the associated breakdowns of CAPEX and OPEX. Based on the assumptions of the CO₂ neutrality of biomass and likely governmental incentives to reduce CO₂ emissions, the study results show that biomass and coal co-firing would result in both lower cost of carbon avoided (carbon capture) and lower incremental cost of electricity generation when MEA solvent carbon capture is applied. Two scenarios for co-firing with carbon capture, 30% biomass blending and 90% or 60% CO₂ capture from stack, indicate different preference depending on lower or higher incentives.