CO2-to-X and Coal-to-X Concepts in Pulverized Coal Combustion Power Plants

Abstract An increasing supply of fluctuating renewable energy sources especially in Germany requires highly flexible conventional power plants in combination with electricity storage to ensure the security of electricity supply. Different options are introduced to improve the part load capability of existing base-load pulverized coal combustion power plants (PCPP). Two concepts are CO 2 -based methanol synthesis (“Power-to-X”) or small-sized coal-based syngas production (“Annex”). Both act as a power sink during low electricity prices. The net power output of the total plant can be reduced so that lifetime-consuming start-ups and shutdowns of the PCPP become no longer necessary. The techno-economic study compares the concepts regarding efficiency, CO 2 emissions, specific investment costs and production costs for methanol generation.