Comparisons Of Alternative Power Generation Systems For Generating Heat And Electricity

The main aim of this study is to look for alternatives to current power generation techniques and look for ways for existing as well as future technologies to combat global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions through installation of renewable as well as carbon capture technologies. Power Generation has been an issue of focus not only in developed countries but also in developing countries. Global warming and climate change with rising fossil fuel prices with diminishing reserves in recent years has pushed urge to create clean and reliable energy technologies. This report particularly looks into alternative sources of energy and what technological options are there for current as well as future power generating system. Economically IGCC with carbon capture and nuclear power are the stable, reliable and clean for base load of power generation due to rising gas and unstable oil prices. Countries having reserves of oil and natural gas go with power generating systems based on them though in future these technologies will be modified to be used with Di-Methyl ether or Bio diesel generators. Biomass and Nuclear power have the lowest GHG emissions during operation followed by renewable technologies like solar or wind. Solar thermal systems are gaining momentum with large scale plants being deployed in areas with isolated population. Coal with carbon capture and storage seems to be a viable option right now but with rising carbon prices the technology will be at par with nuclear in terms of cost and life cycle operation. Technologies like Fuel cell and Hydrogen Power are still into development which may or may not be commercialized by 2050. At present for existing fossil based power plants Co-firing of coal with biomass, gas with DME an