Can existing thermal plants be upgraded as integrated solar-coal hybrid thermal power plants for green power generation — A national challenge

SUN is the source of all energy. A measure of parity between INDIA & CHINA is the Electric Power Consumption. India is struggling to reach 200,000 MW and China has already surpassed 800,000 MW. More than two-third of the power generated in India is through thermal power stations which use coal as the fuel. This has also started hurting the environment due to pollutants like CO2, SO2 which are leading to climate changes that have serious implications on life itself. In this article, the thrust is to highlight the urgency of a National Policy to upgrade existing and proposed coal based Thermal Power plants into Integrated Solar & Coal hybrid Thermal Power plants to add GREEN POWER to the national grid based on the American experience at Colarodo. Based on the present global experience, about 8 to 10% reduction in usage of coal consumption can be achieved by integrating solar power with an existing coal based thermal plant to reduce carbon emissions. Recent reports from media highlighted critical shortages of coal supply to Thermal Plants leading to imports which hurts self-reliance. Moreover, we also have the international obligations of KYOTO protocol to minimize carbon emissions for climate protection. The Integrated Solar & Coal hybrid Thermal Power plants will also help to protect the investments made in the past for the establishment of the coal based thermal power plants. Improvements in Solar technology will increase the percentage of Green Power over time. The biggest achievement after independence is food security. Green Revolution can be sustained only with Green Power. Hence, the urgency for a GOVT. POLICY on upgrading existing thermal plants as Integrated Solar & Coal hybrid Thermal Power Plants.