The Drax Power Station further realized its coal-free ambition today, using its fourth coal-fired generating unit as part of the planned shutdown, and is preparing to convert it into a sustainable biomass fuel.
After the upgrade is completed, two-thirds of the plant's capacity will generate renewable electricity.
Drax has invested approximately 700 million pounds to upgrade half of its power stations and related supply chain infrastructure to replace coal with sustainable biomass, transforming this business into the largest decarbonization project in Europe.
The conversion of the fourth unit is expected to be completed this summer and will resume service in the second half of 2018. The conversion cost is much lower than the previous level, which is approximately 30 million pounds.
Drax's engineers will upgrade the equipment by reusing the company's first large-scale use of the redundant infrastructure left behind by the coal-biomass cogeneration process eight years ago.
A trial last year confirmed that by modifying the old common-combustion transport system, wood particles could be delivered in the quantity required after the complete conversion of the fourth generator set.
Dr. Andy Koss, chief executive officer of Drax Power, said: 'The change of the fourth unit from coal to biomass is another milestone for the power station's retrofit. It will extend the life of the plant and protect Drax and supply chain jobs, and at the same time hundreds of Millions of families and businesses provide cleaner and more reliable electricity.
'The ongoing conversion attests to our Drax's engineering expertise, skills and originality. The team developed some very innovative solutions for this upgrade, taking advantage of all the knowledge we have achieved so far in using the Sustainable Biomass Transformation business. . '
Once it is back online, the fourth unit will help the power station in Selby, North Yorkshire, provide the important reliable and flexible electricity needed by the grid to maintain safe supply, as more renewable energy will go online and continue to take off. carbon.
Once the conversion is completed, Drax will turn its attention to the remaining two coal plants. It plans to replace gas-fired units with gas-fired generating units. It is developing closed-cycle gas turbines that can provide up to 3.6 GW of capacity and up to 200 MW. Battery storage capacity.
Drax's natural gas project plan has been submitted to the planning and inspection agency, which has 28 days to decide whether to accept the application. If accepted, these proposals will be reviewed by the Planning and Inspection Bureau and then submitted to the Secretary of State for inclusion in the commercial energy and industrial strategy. It is expected to make a decision in 2019.
In the past five years, with the increase of low-carbon power generation, the UK’s coal-fired power generation has decreased by 84%.
