文 “LNG Power Generation to Reduce Greenhouse Gases” But … Auditor “Limits on Fine Dust Reduction”

Check-in 2020.09.22 14:00

靑 “The most important energy source for LNG power generation in the age of energy conversion”
LNG power generation, emission of large amounts of nitrogen oxides at the start of operation
When it meets sunlight, it generates fine dust and ozone.
Structure that increases fine dust on repeat operation and suspension due to high unit price

“If we replace coal power generation with LNG gas power generation in the future, we can dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, right?”

President Moon Jae-in told Minister of Commerce, Industry and Energy Sung Yun-mo while visiting Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction in Seongsan-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, and heard an explanation of the gas turbine for the generation of thermal energy from LNG (liquefied natural gas). President Moon said, “(LNG power generation has 44% of greenhouse gas emissions compared to coal power generation).”

Furthermore, the Blue House explained, “the gas turbine industry is a promising industry with high potential for future growth, as LNG power generation becomes a more important source of power generation to maintain supply. and stable energy demand in the age of energy conversion “. It means that LNG power generation becomes more important as the share of new and renewable energy, such as solar and wind, increases, along with post-nuclear power plants. However, the result of an audit was announced on the 22nd that LNG power generation can be helpful in reducing greenhouse gases, but is not very helpful in reducing fine dust.

The Audit and Inspection Board conducted an audit of the ‘Status of Promotion of Fine Dust Management Measures’ for 24 organizations, including the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Education, from November last year to January this year, and announced the results that day.

According to the audit report, LNG power plants emit fewer pollutants, but there is a limit to the reduction of fine dust due to the way the power plants operate. LNG power plants generate a large amount of nitrogen oxides (NOx) due to incomplete combustion at the start of operation (low performance), and when normal operation (high performance) is reached, the combustion condition improves and the produces less NOx. When NOx receives sunlight, it causes a photochemical reaction to produce fine dust and ozone.

However, LNG power plants are expensive. For this reason, the Korea Electric Power Exchange first supplies electricity produced by nuclear power plants and coal power plants, and LNG power plants operate for stable electricity supply only when power demand is concentrated. According to the Board of Audit and Inspection, Southeast Power’s Yeongheung coal-fired power plant has been operating and shutting down on average 6.2 times a year in 2018, but LNG power plants in the metropolitan area for more than 20 years have been operating and closing an average of 83.4 times a year.

This means that there are many “early run” situations where incomplete combustion occurs, thus emitting a large amount of NOx. The Audit and Inspection Board said: “Therefore, if LNG power plants are operated repeatedly and stopped for a short period of time in a situation where the concentration of fine dust is high, the power plants may have a negative impact on local air quality. ” One of the causes of fine dust in the metropolitan area is that LNG power plants are.

In response to the criticisms of the audit, the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of the Environment did not disagree and responded: “We will develop a plan to reduce the atmospheric pollutants emitted by the LNG plant at the start of operation.” The Audit and Inspection Board notified that “the Minister of Industry and the Minister of the Environment should prepare a plan to reduce air pollutants such as NOx emitted in the early stages of operation of an LNG power plant.”