Environmental Sustainability, Technical Feasibility, and Economic Viability of Repurposing and Repowering Coal-Fired Power Plants

Dear Colleagues，

Coal-fired power plants are often associated with high operating and maintenance costs and fluctuating coal prices. Converting coal-fired power plants into other primary energy sources such as renewable energy (solar, wind, hydro) or natural gas could provide more stable and cost-effective energy generation. Renewable energy sources have become increasingly competitive in cost, with declining prices for solar panels and wind turbines. Natural gas is also a more affordable and abundant fossil fuel than coal. Green hydrogen is also a potential candidate for consideration as an alternative energy source when coal-fired power plants are regarded as a repowering option. The technology required for renewable energy generation, such as solar photovoltaic and wind energy conversion systems, has advanced significantly in recent years. These technologies can now provide reliable and consistent power generation, making them suitable alternatives to coal-fired power plants. Additionally, natural gas power plants can easily replace coal-fired plants using similar infrastructure and can be retrofitted to accommodate natural gas. Converting coal-fired plants in order to offer ancillary services, such as synchronous condensers, is also being considered for some repurposing decisions.

Coal-fired power plants significantly contribute to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, including water vapor, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides. These emissions have detrimental effects on air quality, human health, and contribute to climate change. Converting to cleaner energy sources like renewable energy or natural gas could significantly reduce these emissions and improve air quality. Renewable energy sources are also sustainable and do not deplete natural resources. The transition from coal to other energy sources should also be accompanied by a comprehensive plan to ensure job security and sustained economic activities in the affected communities. This may include retraining programs for coal workers to facilitate their transition into renewable energy or natural gas industries, investment in new industries and job creation in the renewable energy sector. Developing renewable energy projects could also stimulate local economies through construction, manufacturing, and maintenance activities.

It is important to note that the specific circumstances and context of each coal-fired power plant and its surrounding community should be taken into account when considering a conversion. A thorough analysis of the local energy market, economic conditions, and social factors is necessary to develop a comprehensive and sustainable plan for the transition.

This Special Issue of Energies intends to explore the environmental sustainability, technical feasibility, and economic viability of repurposing and repowering coal-fired power plants. By repurposing these plants, they can be transformed into facilities that utilize alternative energy sources such as solar, wind, or biomass, reducing their carbon footprint and utilizing existing infrastructure. These power plants can also be repowered using different but environmentally friendly primary energy resources such as green hydrogen, biomass, and natural gas to replace coal. The modelling of power plants and the analysis of existing grids with replaced resources are vital in order to determine the system voltage stability and mitigation strategies. Efforts must be made to ensure that the communities in which coal-fired power plants are repurposed or repowered are considered by key stakeholders who take their concerns seriously, particularly regarding jobs and economic activities for the community's sustenance.

Dr. Atanda Kamoru Raji
Dr. Marco Adonis
Guest Editors

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• repurposing coal-fired plants
• repowering coal-fired plants
• case studies of repowering and repurposing coal-fired plants
• economic viability of thermal power conversion
• technical feasibility of thermal power conversion
• environmental considerations for thermal power plants decommissioning
• green hydrogen energy systems
• just energy transition (JET)
• carbon capture, storage, and usage
• renewable energy systems for repurposing coal-fired power plants
• power flow analysis of repurposed and repowered coal-fired plants
• coal-fired power plants conversion to synchronous condenser
• socioeconomic impact of repurposing and repowering decisions
• baseload power plants are different from coal-fired power plants
• energy storage systems in electricity systems