Most electricity and heating in the Netherlands is produced from fossil fuels, causing the release of both CO2 and acidifying emissions.
Energy Production Emissions
Fuels such as coal, natural gas, biomass and furnace gas contain varying quantities of carbon, sulphur and nitrogen. During the combustion process for generating electricity, these materials are converted into carbon dioxide (CO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) that are emitted via chimneys into the air. Various technologies exist to reduce the release of acidifying emissions such as nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide into the environment. Good combustion technology, for instance, can counter the formation of nitrogen oxides, while flue gases can be cleaned with the aid of catalysts and washers. Another option is to gasify fuels, a technology that can further reduce the emission of environmentally-unsound substances. This is the concept that Nuon has decided to apply at its new Nuon Magnum power station in Eemshaven (Groningen). The technologies for capturing carbon dioxide from flue gases are still being developed and are not expected to be ready for application in large-scale installations before 2015.
The monitoring of emissions from installations was further improved in 2007, allowing Nuon to meet the latest requirements of the NEA (Netherlands Emissions Authority). Monitoring of emissions is proving to be an intensive and prolonged learning process, where new experiences and methods are making it possible to measure and calculate emissions with increasing accuracy. Alongside Nuon’s laboratory at the Willem-Alexander power station in Buggenum, the laboratory at the Hemweg power station Amsterdam has now also been certified as an “Accredited Laboratory”. The designation is exclusively issued to laboratories capable of carrying out extremely accurate, reliable and reproducible measurements of fuels, residual products and waste water. Other requirements are that the laboratory must operate independently and meet stringent organisational standards.
Though the total CO2 emissions rose in 2007 due to the strong increase in the capacity utilisation of our power stations, the CO2 emissions from Nuon’s overall electricity production edged only slightly higher from 852 grams/kWh in 2006 to 856 grams/kWh.
Several adjustments made in 2006 had a clear impact on the NOx and SO2 emissions. The Hemweg 8 power station was expanded with a DeNox installation and redesigned and rearranged sprinklers were also fitted in its flue gas desulphurisation installation. The NOx emissions declined from 0.492 grams/kWh in 2006 to 0.336 grams/kWh in 2007. The SO2 emissions fell from 0.115 grams/kWh to 0.096 grams/kWh. Despite the strong increase in production, the total NOx and SO2 emissions decreased.
Several adjustments made in 2006 had a clear impact on the NOx and SO2 emissions. Despite the strong increase in production, the total NOx and SO2 emissions decreased. The Hemweg 8 power station was expanded with a DeNox installation and redesigned and rearranged sprinklers were also fitted in its flue gas desulphurisation installation. The NOx emissions declined from 0.492 grams/kWh in 2006 to 0.336 grams/kWh in 2007. The SO2 emissions fell from 0.115 grams/kWh to 0.096 grams/kWh.
