AI Armed Girl 8 asked AI about CO2 emissions and power generation efficiency by thermal power generation method.

CO2 Emissions and Power Generation Efficiency by Thermal Power Generation Methods

Thermal power generation utilizes heat energy obtained by burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas, etc.) to generate electricity.

The amount of CO2 emissions and efficiency of this method vary significantly depending on the type of fuel and technology used.

1. Coal-Fired Power Generation

Mechanism: Coal is burned to produce heat, which generates steam to drive turbines for electricity generation.

Features:

• Coal is abundant and affordable, making it a widely used fuel for many years.
• However, its combustion produces large amounts of CO2 and sulfur oxides (SOx), leading to significant environmental impacts.
• Among fossil fuels, coal generates the highest CO2 emissions.
• Power Generation Efficiency: 35–45%.

2. IGCC (Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle)

Mechanism: Coal is gasified to create synthetic gas (mainly carbon monoxide and hydrogen), which is then combusted to drive both gas and steam turbines.

Features:

• Allows for coal use with reduced emissions.
• Involves complex and costly technology.
• Reduces CO2 emissions by approximately 10–20% compared to traditional coal power.
• Power Generation Efficiency: About 45–50%.

3. Oil-Fired Power Generation

Mechanism: Oil is burned to produce heat, operating similarly to coal-fired power generation.

Features:

• Usage has decreased among fossil fuel power generation methods.
• Volatile oil prices significantly impact generation costs.
• Emits about 20% less CO2 than coal-fired power, but still at high levels.
• Power Generation Efficiency: 35–45%.

4. Natural Gas Power Generation

Mechanism: Natural gas is combusted to generate power, with high combustion efficiency due to its fuel properties.

Features:

• Produces fewer SOx and NOx compared to coal or oil, making it a cleaner fossil fuel.
• A primary method of thermal power generation in Japan.
• Emits about half the CO2 of coal-fired power for the same electricity output, reducing environmental impact.
• Power Generation Efficiency: About 40–50%.

5. GTCC (Gas Turbine Combined Cycle) Within Natural Gas Power Generation

Mechanism: Combines high-temperature gas turbines with steam turbines, efficiently utilizing the heat from natural gas combustion.

Features:

• Achieves world-class power generation efficiency, producing more electricity with the same fuel and lower environmental impact.
• Requires high initial investment but offers low operational costs, making it economically advantageous in the long term.
• Further reduces CO2 emissions by 20–30% compared to standalone natural gas power.
• Power Generation Efficiency: About 60%.

If minimizing CO2 emissions is the goal, GTCC is the optimal choice within natural gas power generation.

6. Summary

1. Replace coal-fired power generation with IGCC.
2. 2Continue using oil-fired power generation as is.
3. Replace natural gas power generation with GTCC.

This approach appears to be the most effective in improving power generation efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions.

Since fossil fuel imports are essential in Japan, maintaining a balanced fuel supply of coal, oil, and natural gas is currently the best approach.

While coal is often criticized for its poor CO2 emissions and fuel efficiency, switching from conventional coal-fired power to IGCC can significantly reduce CO2 emissions and improve fuel efficiency, as it generates electricity more efficiently with less coal.

Note:

This content was based on AI responses.

AI answers are not guaranteed to be accurate. Please verify important information.

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Lastly, regarding the images used here, most have issues with representations of hands, fingers, and firearms.

I continue to experiment under time constraints and am still learning about image generation.

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