Climate and Air Quality Co-Benefits of Local Air Pollution Control: The Case of China’s Power Sector

Abstract:

Power sector is the major emitter in China of local air pollutants including SO2 and NOX, and CO2 and Hg with global environmental impacts. This study applied a bottom-up optimization model considering multi regional power grids in China to simulate how the local air pollution (LAP) control would shape the power generation mix before 2020 and estimate the mitigation potential of CO2 and Hg emission provided by LAP control. Results show that with LAP control targets, in 2020, 100% of coal-fired units need to be equipped with FGD or adopt in-furnace desulphurization for CFB; approximately 85% of coal-fired units should be equipped with SCR while the others retrofitted to be low NOX boilers. Compared to the scenario without environmental constraints, Hg emission decreases 46% while CO2 emission increases 0.64% in 2020 with LAP control targets. Control polices of local and global air pollutant emissions should be combined early in developing countries to obtain a cost-effective way for sustainable development.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 726-731)
• Pages: 2045-2050
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.726-731.2045
• Online since: August 2013
• Authors: Min Hua Ye, Can Wang
• Keywords: China, Co-Benefits, Greenhouse Gas (GHG), Hg, Local Air Pollution, Multi-Regional Power Grid Optimization Model

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