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Meeting Minamata: Cost-effective compliance options for atmospheric mercury control in Chinese coal-fired power plants

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  • Ancora, Maria Pia
  • Zhang, Lei
  • Wang, Shuxiao
  • Schreifels, Jeremy J.
  • Hao, Jiming

Abstract

A new international treaty, Minamata Convention, identifies mercury (Hg) as a global threat to human health and seeks to control its releases and emissions. Coal-fired power plants are a major source of mercury pollution worldwide and are expected to be the first key sector to be addressed in China under Minamata Convention. A best available technique (BAT) adoption model was developed in the form of a decision tree and cost-effectiveness for each technological option. Co-benefit control technologies and their enhancement with coal blending/switching and halogen injection (HI) can provide early measures to help China meet the Minamata Convention obligations. We project future energy and policy scenarios to simulate potential national mercury reduction goals for China and estimate costs of the control measures for each scenario. The “Minamata Medium” scenario, equivalent to the goal of the US Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) rule, requires the application of activated carbon injection (ACI) and HI on 30% and 20% of power plants, respectively. The corresponding total costs would be $2.5 billion, approximately one-fourth the costs in the US. An emission limit of 3µg/m3 in 2030 was identified as a feasible policy option for China to comply with Minamata Convention.

Suggested Citation

  • Ancora, Maria Pia & Zhang, Lei & Wang, Shuxiao & Schreifels, Jeremy J. & Hao, Jiming, 2016. "Meeting Minamata: Cost-effective compliance options for atmospheric mercury control in Chinese coal-fired power plants," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 485-494.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:88:y:2016:i:c:p:485-494
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2015.10.048
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Schreifels, Jeremy J. & Fu, Yale & Wilson, Elizabeth J., 2012. "Sulfur dioxide control in China: policy evolution during the 10th and 11th Five-year Plans and lessons for the future," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 779-789.
    2. repec:pal:jintbs:v:46:y:2015:i:9:p:1119-1119 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Napolitano, Sam & Schreifels, Jeremy & Stevens, Gabrielle & Witt, Maggie & LaCount, Melanie & Forte, Reynaldo & Smith, Kenon, 2007. "The U.S. Acid Rain Program: Key Insights from the Design, Operation, and Assessment of a Cap-and-Trade Program," The Electricity Journal, Elsevier, vol. 20(7), pages 47-58.
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    2. Zhao, Haitao & Mu, Xueliang & Yang, Gang & George, Mike & Cao, Pengfei & Fanady, Billy & Rong, Siyu & Gao, Xiang & Wu, Tao, 2017. "Graphene-like MoS2 containing adsorbents for Hg0 capture at coal-fired power plants," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 207(C), pages 254-264.
    3. Wang, Ke & Wang, Shanshan & Liu, Lei & Yue, Hui & Zhang, Ruiqin & Tang, Xiaoyan, 2016. "Environmental co-benefits of energy efficiency improvement in coal-fired power sector: A case study of Henan Province, China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 184(C), pages 810-819.
    4. Zaman, Rafia & Brudermann, Thomas & Kumar, S. & Islam, Nazrul, 2018. "A multi-criteria analysis of coal-based power generation in Bangladesh," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 182-192.
    5. Wu, Yunna & Xiao, Xinli & Song, Zongyun, 2017. "Competitiveness analysis of coal industry in China: A diamond model study," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 39-53.

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