In the heart of Poland, a power plant is tackling a unique challenge: how to reduce its carbon footprint without increasing its noise footprint. Andrzej Jastrząb, a researcher from Enea Power Plant Połaniec S.A., has been working on this very issue, and his findings, published in the journal *Energies*, offer valuable insights for the energy sector.
The European Union’s “carbon neutral power generation” policy is pushing countries to phase out fossil fuel power plants. However, these plants still play a significant role in many countries’ energy mixes. One solution is biomass co-firing, which can reduce a coal plant’s carbon footprint by up to 50%, bringing it on par with natural gas plants. But this solution comes with a catch: it significantly increases the volume of fuel that needs to be handled and supplied to the power plant.
“The side effect is a significant increase in the bulk fuel volumes that are acquired, handled, and finally supplied to the power plant units,” Jastrząb explains. This increase can lead to a complex logistic system extension, which may push the plant’s noise emissions beyond allowed thresholds.
To address this, Jastrząb built a discrete simulation model to dimension system elements and verify the overall correctness of the proposed solutions. He then developed a dedicated noise emission model for the environmental impact assessment procedures for the planned expansion of the biofuel supply system (BSS).
The noise model revealed a potential issue: the possibility of exceeding permissible noise levels at night in selected locations. To mitigate this, Jastrząb simulated various scenarios of biomass supply, considering alternative nighttime stops for selected branches of the BSS.
The key performance parameter of the BSS was the length of the queue of unloaded freight trains delivering average quality biomass after a period of 2 weeks. A queue shorter than 1 freight train was deemed acceptable. Assuming the rising share of renewable energy sources (RESS) in the Polish energy mix, the thermal plant’s 2-week average power output should not exceed 70% of its maximum capacity.
The results were promising. Under these constraints, biofuel supplies can be sufficient regardless of nighttime stops, provided that 50% of the supplied biomass volumes are delivered by trucks. If the trucks’ share drops to 25%, the plant’s 2-week average power output is limited to 45% of its maximum power.
This research highlights the importance of digital spatial simulation models in addressing environmental conflicts at the design stage of industrial installation extensions in urbanized areas. It also underscores the need for a balanced approach to biomass supply, considering both environmental and operational constraints.
As the energy sector continues to evolve, research like Jastrząb’s will be crucial in shaping future developments. It offers a roadmap for power plants looking to reduce their carbon footprint without compromising on noise emissions, and it provides valuable insights into the complexities of biomass supply.
In an era where sustainability and efficiency are paramount, this research serves as a reminder that the path to a greener future is not always straightforward, but with careful planning and innovative solutions, it is achievable.