Two mega-kilowatt "ultra-supercritical" thermal power generators
went into official operation in east China's Shandong Province?on Thursday.
This new technology was inspired by a Chinese government drive
to increase the efficiency of coal burning by reducing
emissions and conserving energy.
"Ultra-supercritical" generators use coal-fired boilers to heat
water so that it evaporates, causing high steam pressure which
guarantees maximum power-generating efficiency.
China Huadian Corp, one of the nation's biggest power companies,
related that the units had performed well in their initial 168-hour
trial operation in Zouxian Power Plant in Shandong's Zoucheng City.
They consumes 270 grams of coal per kilowatt-hour, 70 grams lower
than the national average, making them?capable of saving
990,000 tons of coal annually.
Statistics from the National Development and Reform Commission
estimate that China's total installed capacity is?650 million
kilowatts, 80 percent of which comes from thermal power.
Ultra-supercritical thermal power generation should save as many
as 200 million tons of coal a year and lower carbon dioxide
emissions by 540 million tons.
Nationwide, 34 more sets of ultra-supercritical thermal power
generating units are currently being built.
(Xinhua News Agency July 6, 2007)
