Conventional power plants equipped with systems for CO2 emission abatement

This paper presents the results from an evaluation of the performance and cost of Italian power plants (a steam cycle power plants - 500 MW - fed by coal and a combined cycle power plant - 300 MW - fed by natural gas) with CO2 emissions control equipment to achieve a fixed reduction in atmospheric discharge of carbon dioxide (CO2) and so to accomplish the CO2 emission targets established by the Kyoto Protocol. The reduction of the CO2 content in the flue gas is achieved by amine scrubbing (CO2 removal), removal of water from CO2 (drying), compression to pipeline pressure; transport and storage are not considered. The paper presents an economic evaluation of the CO2 abatement cost and compares it with the cost of allowances in the Emission Trading System and with the payment of the penalty for the emissions in excess when there is no CO2 quota available oil the market.