Generation of Electricity Through Coal in Pakistan

At present, the people ar facing severe loadshedding/blackout problems payable to shortage of spot allow for. Industries argon closing surmount. Millions of Man hours ache been lost lede to an increase in p e actuallywherety and sparing loss of cardinals of rupees to the surface atomic number 18a. It is happening despite the points that rise up-nigh 60% of Pakistans population has an access to electrical heftiness. And according to World pushing Statistics 2011, produce by IEA, Pakistans per capita electrical vitality consumption is one-sixth of the World Average.World medium per capita electrical energy Consumption is 2730 kWh compargond to Pakistans per capita electrical energy consumption of 451kWh. It is imperative to apprehend the crises. According to Pakistan qualification Year Book 2011, Pakistans inst aloneed capacity for occasion generation is 22,477MW and the demand is approximately the same. The question arises that if the demand and supply has no gap then why we atomic number 18 facing much(prenominal) a crucial electricity crises. To beat up the answer we need to look into Pakistans electricity generation mix elicit wise.Unfortunately, anoint & throttle has 67% share in electricity generation. Pakistan is generating 35% of its electricity from furnace pet partingum that is by and large imported. Pakistan spends over 12 billion US dollars for the import of furnace cover advanced speed diesel engine and crude petroleum that amount is equivalent to 60% of visit sense export earnings and is a serious strain on countrys economy. It was recorded that in year 2011, the import of furnace oil increase by 19% compared to 2010 import.Moreover, the imported furnace oil is mettlesome sulfur furnace oil because low mho furnace oil is costly. The brageous emissions from High reciprocal ohm furnace oil are polluting the environment and deteriorating the effect plants as well. The bitter fact is that the per unit cost of electricity generated from imported furnace oil is high and is evaluate to increase get a huge due to high fore lineed increase in the oil termss. The per unit price of the electricity generated from furnace oil is neither viable for industrial consumers nor for domestic consumers.At the same time, Pakistan is generating 32% of its electricity from Natural Gas. According to Pakistan Energy Year Book, 2011, Pakistan has 27. 5 million cubic feet (TCF) balance recoverable p name accelerator reserves. Current gas production is 4 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) and the demand is 6 bcfd. The gas production is expected to fall to slight than 01 bcfd by 2025 due to depletion and demand bequeath increase to 8 bcfd. While depleting the indigenous natural gas reserves, close one third of the natural gas is employ for electricity eneration (32%) ca apply a severe domestic and industrial load shedding. That has signifi bay windowtly damaged countrys export earnings and increased the i mport bill. The proposed Iran gas pipeline would provide unless 01 bcfd at a cost of $ 1. 25 billion. The proposed TAPI gas pipeline would provide 3. 2 bcfd to 3 countries at a cost of $ 7. 6 billion. In response to a demand of 8 bcfd, we will be having 3 bcfd in 2025 if twain proposed are completed. The gap will be 5 bcfd. The available gas will bring forth 66% share of costly imported gas.In the get away of preceding(prenominal) elucidated facts, it is observable that it will non be possible to eat on gas based role plants in future that contribute 32 % of the power generation. In the light of above discussion, it is evident that electricity generated from cover and gas is not an stintingally feasible option and the installed capacity of to the highest degree one hundred fifty00MW (67%) out of 22477MW would not be operational. Inter national Energy Agency has forecasted that total electricity demandof the country will be 49078MW in 2025. This is a swell challenge to e nhance the installed capacity to 50000MW from 7000MW.Currently, Pakistan is generating 6481 MW of electricity from hydel sources that is 29% of the total installed capacity. If country completes all the proposed hydel throw offs including Bhasha Dam, the hydel contribution would be 15000MW until 2025 that is 29%. The plentifulgest challenge is to redesign the electricity portfolio and substitute the oil and gas with an abundantly available indigenous evoke source. Pakistan must develop indigenous zip resources to meet its future electricity needs. Pakistan tooshie overcome this energy crisis by utilising its un- utilize blacken reserves. char is a biz changer for Pakistan. Currently, 40. 6% of worlds electricity is being generated from char and it is the single largest contributor in world electricity generation. By spirit at the electricity generation mix of the countries that are blithesome with char, it is evident that char is the largest contributor. For instance, Po land, South Africa, china, India, Australia ,Czech Re unexclusive, Kazakhstan, Germany, USA,UK, Turkey , Ukraine and Japan are generation 96%, 88%,78%, 78%, 77%, 72%, 69. 9%, 52. %, 52%, 37%, 31. 3%, 27. 5% and 22. 9% of electricity from sear. Pakistan is the only country that is blessed with 185 billion tons of combust and is producing negligible electricity from combust 0. 6%). Thar deposit alone is estimated to be 175 billion tons. It is further estimated that if all the Thar char is extracted out and converted into electricity through sear b populate power plants, it can provide 100,000MW for more than 500 years. in that mending is a dire need to devise a strategy to utilise Thar sear for power generation.Centre for Coal Technology Punjab University has conducted analysis of 328 samples of burn from all quaternity provinces and AK including Thar ember. A substantial amount of coal in Punjab, Balochistan, KPK, AK and Sindh has high sulphur and ash content that is a c hallenge to utilise this coal for power generation. All the analysis carried out since 1994 to 2012 by G Couch, geological appraise of Pakistan, vaticinator coal handle, Centre for coal applied science show that Thar coal has a sulphur content up to 1% that is the beauty of this coal that makes it sui carry over for direct combustion for power generation.At UK-Pakistan coal multitude where principal operating officer of world association for Under footing coal gasification (UCG ) Julie Lauder and Robert Davidson of International Energy Agency gave presentations and informed the audience that UCG is put away in experiment tier and pi kitty operations are being carried out at various steads but UCG syn gas is not being used commercially yet. The experimentation is qualifying on since 1928 for the coals that are deeper than 300 meters and not minable. Let me make it clear that I am not against UCG as a technique.My considered panorama is that Thar geology is against the pre -requisites for UCG. Here are some concerns regarding UCG of Thar Coal 1. The geological structure of Thar bar three has been published by geological survey of Pakistan. This structure is against the bedrock of Underground gasification (UCG) given in e really book. First condition for UCG is that the coal should be 300 metre or more deep. Where as in Thar the coal seams are present at a depth of 150 meter. Secondly, there should be no weewee around the deposit whereas Thar coal is immersed in irrigate.The aquifer above the coal zone is at about cxx m. then a strata of sand stone and clay stone. The piddle table ranges between 52. 70 to 93. 27 meter depth. Right below the graduation exercise coal zone, there are ii to three perched aquifers that are aquifers inside coal zone with sand horizons of medium to coarse grains. According to experts, the water can also be used for irrigation. Then after the coal seams, a deep aquifer at 200m depth is present. This aquifer is a source of water for tube wells installed in Thar. 2.Moreover, all the analysis carried out by various organisations at different multiplication show that coal itself contains about 46% moisture in it. 3. For complete burning of coal in UCG, a temperature of 1000C is required. It is anticipated that the temperature will not be maintained at 1000 C due to 46% moisture stellar(a) to an unelaborated burning of coal. The volatile matter will burn and FC content / the or so valuable component may remain un-burnt leading to a very low HV gas. 4. About one year ago, Dr. M. Saleem (a member of Dr. Samar Team) predicted that the syn gas obtained will have a hot value of 106 BTU/cubic foot.Now they claim that they have obtained a gas but have not declare the calorific value yet. This claimed HHV is one-tenth of Natural gas. Due to high moisture content, it would be lower than this claimed value. 5. It is expected to yield production of very low graze and uneconomic syn gas, stance high propo rtions of water vapours, carbon dioxide and sulphureted. 6. The gas with such a low heating value cannot be linked with the national grid. On 25th July, 2012 Dr. Samar briefing Standing Committee on cultivation Technology said that gas companies have refused to buy this gas. 7.If the heat contained in 46% moisture, compressors energy consumption, energy required for carbon dioxide removal, water removal, H2S, (Hydrogen Sulphide) HCN (Hydrogen Cyanide) removal, jackstones removal and other operational energy consumption is subtracted from the per unit syngas profit heating value (that is vital for power generation) will be further lowered. 8. As the gasification proceeds, the water seepage from the upper aquifer will continue leading to further decrease in temperatures inside the chambers resulting further neither burning and yielding much lower HV gas along with un used air. . The sulphur content in the Thar coal will generate H2S (Hydrogen Sulphide) during gasification leading t o an environmental catastrophe in Thar as a result of roughshod gases like H2S (Hydrogen Sulphide) and HCN (Hydrogen Cyanide) from the UCG chambers to the surface through the very loose overlie strata and through naked as a jaybirdly developed or pre-existing cracks etc. 10. There will possibly be contamination of underground water so precious in Thar area, with poisonous chemicals originating from the burn chambers. 11. Proper scrutiny of Thar coal control is missing.One cannot find the models of the Thar UCG operation especially the reaction kinetics, heat transfer, gas flow etc ? that are fundamental for every project. 12. For UCG research, experts are of the opinion that the location allotted block V is not a right location because to stop the operation will not be easy and that can destroy the entire deposit. It should have been an isolated location. On the basis above alleged concerns, Production of very low grade and uneconomic syn gas, bearing high proportions of water vapours, carbon dioxide and sulphurated hydrogen due to high water and sulphur contents of the Thar coal is expected.The scope of Dr. Samar Mubarak Mand project was to generate electricity. still after claimed trials, he is now trying to give a new lolly pop to the nation that Diesel and methanol will be produced from Thar coal gas. The question is that India, China and USA and all other countries are generating electricity from coal why they are not producing methanol and diesel? Can you tell the nation how much percentage of global coal is used for these obsoleted routes compared to the coal used for power generation?Pakistan has about 83 sugar mills and methanol can be produced as by product of sugar at much cheaper rate with very undersize identifyment compared to the coal route suggested by Dr. Samar. Being a coal technologist and chemical process technologist I can reprove that without knowing the process details, economics and economies of scale, a nuclear- political sci entist is misleading the nation. If UCG of Thar is a wise option, why commercial organisations like Sindh Engro coal Mining Company, Oracle coal knit, UK and Global Mining, China are opting at large(p) pit dig at Thar.Definitely, any profit making organisation that believes in no free lunch will go for tested commercial technologies. lonesome(prenominal) a group of retired hit and trial masters from various fields other than coal can afford this luxury on state expenses. Currently,8142 trillion watt hour of electricity is being generated from world coal. issue of which how much is generated from UCG? The answer is zero. In response to my post UK-PK coal conference statement of Dr . Samar Mubarak Mands dormitory through a journalist managed a news item against me in Daily News on twenty-third July, 2012.I strongly condemn the highly objectionable language he used. preferably of presenting his view point he tried for character assassination. He declared me as an American agent because I have technically unfastened them. I understand that Dr. Samar and his fellows who get heavy Financial benefits from Thar UCG project consider everyone as their personal enemy who criticize the Thar UCG project honestly. Dr. A. Q Khan elevated questions on Thar UCG project and declared that Dr Samar intellectually dishonest. Is he an American ingredient?Now a days, Dr. Samar Mubarak Mand is running PPP Election Campaign to get heavy funds released. Despite the appearance of Dr. Samar in PPP media struggle on TV for close elections, Federal Minister for water and power Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar has stated in a TV talk show Awam ki Adalat on Geo TV dated 15-07-2012 that there is no truth in Dr. Samars claims. Is he an American Agent? Dr. Shahid Naveed, Dean of Engineering, University of Engg& Tech Lahore has akin(predicate) views on Thar UCG project. Is he an American agent?Daily The Nation in its editorial on 11 august 2012, wrote that Dr Mubarakmands has been the lone j uncture in the country advocating the idea and demanded a team of world trend experts to do a feasibility study, covering technical as well as financial aspects prior to pour huge investment in this project that is what I have pointed out. What. The senior journalist with so-called hale knowledge should learn the art of investigation based journalism and degrade that I have doctorate in the area of coal technology from UK and many international research publications in high impact portion journals are on my credit.I am not an alien in the field of coal technology like Dr. Samar Mubarak Mand. As far as the Angren project is concerned, no doubt its one of the oldest UCG site but IEA still ranked it as pilot project. It is an admitted fact that UCG as a technique is still not a commercial technology. My considered opinion is that coal scuttle pit mining is the right strategy to extract coal. Once the coal is in our hands, there will be many invertors for the establishment of coal- fired power generation plants and our beloved country would enjoy 100000MW cheaper electricity for five hindered years.The writer is the Professor & Director of Centre for Coal Technology, University of the Punjab, Lahore. This news was published in print paper. Access complete paper of this day. Electricity has become an crucial part of our lives and its outage adversely affects the countrys economic growth and day-after-day lives of common people. Since the past few decades, there has been an enormous increase in the demand of electricity and no appreciative steps have been interpreted to cope up this issue. Now the demand has exceeded supply and loadshedding has become a common issue.Every day an outage of 3-4 hours has to be faced by the people and in summer season the outage length increases to an unbearable level which is making the lives downhearted for everyone. What is the regime doing to ensure a sustainable supply of energy resources for economic growth? What strateg ic steps are being taken to memorize energy resources in future? Is private sector willing to invest in Pakistans oil industry? What are the incentives being offered to the outside players to continue working in the exploration sector? What hurdles are stopping other big players around the world to enter Pakistan?What is the role of gas distribution companies so far? Are the citizens of Pakistan being robbed by energy giants with ever rising utility bills? What should be the real price of petroleum, kerosene and other oil products in Pakistan? When will the nation have loadshedding free electric supply? Have we been able to make long term contracts with the countries to provide uninterrupted supply of energy resources? Will the government be able to provide enough sources to the citizens for a sustainable economic growth? Have we lost the race for acquiring maximum energy resources for future survival?Pakistan has rich reserves of coal. Most of the power generation in many parts o f the world is being done by using coal as an energy resource. Thar, Lakhra, Badin etc are some of the mammoth coal reserves in Pakistan. If we talk about Thar reserves only we get astonishing facts. Thar coal reserves of Sindh are about 850 trillion cubic feet, which is more than oil reserves of Saudi Arabia and Iran put together. These reserves are estimated at 850 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of gas, about 300 times higher than Pakistans proven gas reserves of 28 TCF.Dr Murtaza Mughal, chairwoman of Pakistan Economy Watch, in a statement said that these reserves of coal worth USD 25 trillion could not only cater to the electricity requirements of the country for the next 100 years but also restrain almost billions of dollars in staggering oil import bill. Just two percent usage of Thar coal can produce 20,000 MW of electricity for next 40 years, without any single second of loadshedding and if the whole reserves are utilised, then it can easily be imagined how much energy could be generated. The coal power generation would cost Pakistan PKR 5. 7 per unit eon power generated by Independent Power Projects cost PKR 9. 27 It requires on the nose 420 billion rupees initial investment whereas Pakistan receives annually 1220 billion from tax only. Chinese and other countries companies have not only carried out surveys and feasibility of this project but also offered 100 percent investment in the last seven to eight years but the petroleum gang continuously discouraged them in a very systematic way. Petroleum lobby is very strong in Pakistan and they are against any other elbow room of power generation except for the imported oil.This lobby is the major beneficiary of the increasing oil bill that is estimated to be above 15 billion dollar this year. Beyond the shadow of any doubt coal energy is the most viable solution to the energy crisis situation in Pakistan. The government should seriously think about it and put untiring efforts to cater to the energy crisis situation in Pakistan by utilising coal reserves. BUSHRA ASIM Karachi Tuesday, May 22, 2012 More share-out ServicesShareShare on facebookShare on twitterShare on linkedinShare on stumbleuponShare on emailShare on facebook_like Thar coal Pakistans hope for energy self-sufficiencyBy Amjad Agha Recently it has been reported that the plan way has decided to stop further financing of Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) Project at Thar, since no encouraging results are forthcoming. This UCG project is the aspiration of Dr Samar Mubarakmand, who has been working on it for the last couple of years. This news has been given lot of coverage by the media, and a wrong impression is being created as if the preparation Commission has rejected the Thar coal. It is surprising that so far the Planning Commission has not clarified their position.Obviously the objection pertains to underground gasification of the Thar coal and not the mining of the huge deposit of coal. Thar coal deposits are the largest resource sight in the country, which can provide the much-needed solution for generating large amount of electricity for many many years at affordable price. The estimates indicate that cxxxv to 175 billion tonnes of lignite coal can be obtained from the deposit, which can produce thousands of megawatts of electricity for decades. Thar coal can be obtained by open cast mining similar to the method used all over the world.The UCG is a method of converting unworked coal coal still in the ground into a combustible gas, which can be used for power generation. The UCG is at present not extensively used commercially, but research is going on to make it commercially attractive. However, the open pit mining of coal is the normal method being used, and most of the coal is being obtained in this manner. The UCG method is still in the research stage and if found worthy for Thar coal, it will be useful and economical. Therefore, Dr Mubarakmands project may be curtailed but should n ot be stopped until it reaches final outcome.The open cast mining of Thar coal is the project, which the nation has been keenly awaiting, but for some unbeknownst(predicate) reasons the work on it has still not started. Couple of months ago an article Thar Coal and Energy Security by Muhammad Younus Dagha was printed in Dawn newspaper. Dagha is the secretary coal and energy Sindh. In the article, he had stated that final governing body have been completed by Global Mining Company of China for Block-1 and another(prenominal) by Sindh Engro Coal Mining for Block-II. The mining on these projects shall reportedly start by June. Are these dates still valid?The public is desperately waiting for any good news about electricity. The Planning Commission should immediately clarify their statement on Thar coal and inform the public about the real status on start of mining. In my late(a) paper Electricity Crisis and Circular Debt, it was explained that real cause of the electricity crisis i n the country is due to faulty fuel mix as we are using the highly expensive furnace oil as the main fuel for generating electricity. The fuel cost to generate one Kwh (unit) of electricity through furnace is about Rs 17-18.This does not include the fixed charges for the plant, transmission and distribution costs and losses etc. Since the government cannot afford to buy the oil at this high price, therefore several thermal power plants are shut down or producing much below their capacity. A news item indicated late that monthly requirement of furnace oil for power plants is 32,000 tonnes but only 10,000 tonnes of oil is being imported. Obviously the generation is accordingly low. The natural gas is another fuel which is being used but is in short supply and very little is available for generation of electricity.The country needs $5 billion for the import of oil, only one-third of the amount will be required if the fuel mix is changed from oil. Globally about 21,000Twh of electrici ty is consumed per year, 41 percent of this electricity is generated through coal. China generates 78 percent of its electricity through coal, India 68 percent, USA 48 percent but Pakistan only 0. 1 percent. The world does not use oil for electricity, as less than five percent of the world electricity is generated through oil, but Pakistan is using oil for 40 percent of its electricity, which obviously it cannot afford.Its time that we instigate up to these realities, and concentrate on mining Thar coal and start generating electricity through this indigenous resource. Obtaining natural gas through fracturing of underground shale rocks is big news these days. The US is leading in this technology, and China is following very fast. Does Pakistan have any plans for expanding our natural gas production, again no breeding is passed on to the public. The writer is president of the Associated Consulting Engineers, former managing director of NESPAK, and former chief executive of Pakistan Hydro Consultants for the Ghazi Barotha Hydropower Project