NTPC has achieved a new milestone by successfully and safely demonstrating co-firing of 20 wt.% torrefied biomass in Unit#4 Stage-I of NTPC Tanda Plant on 30th March, 2024. The initiative is first of its kind in Indian power sector which may go a long way in decarbonizing existing coal fired fleet and achieving the Net Zero Emission targets. The demonstration pilot was executed successfully by the team lead by Energy Transition and Policy Research of Engineering division with members from NETRA, Tanda station, CC-Fuel Management, CC-OS, NRHQ-OS, Cenpeep etc.

NTPC is taking various steps for decarbonizing its coal power plants for achieving the Net Zero Emission Targets. As a part of its decarbonization initiatives, biomass co-firing in existing and new NTPC coal power plants are being explored by NTPC. Each percent biomass of cofiring has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by approximately the same percentage. Additionally, biomass co-firing also mitigates air pollution caused by direct burning of stubble in the fields by the farmers.

Earlier, NTPC had successfully demonstrated co-firing of 7 to 10 wt.% non-torrefied biomass with coal in its Dadri Power Plant without any modifications in the existing system. However, for firing higher percentage of non-torrefied biomass significant modifications in boiler, mills etc. are required. Accordingly, for co-firing higher percentages of biomass without any major modifications in the existing system, possibility of using torrefied biomass was explored by Energy Transition and Policy Research Division of NTPC Engineering. For production of torrefied biomass pellets, biomass is heated in absence of oxygen to convert it in a coal like material. The torrefied biomass has low volatile content, higher Hargrove grindability index (HGI) which makes it suitable for use with existing system for higher cofiring percentages also. The Gross Calorific Value (GCV) and present cost of torrefied biomass pellet is equivalent to that of imported coal. However, there is significant potential for cost reduction in longer run with maturity of technology and market.