Multi period planning on grid-wide carbon sequestration retrofit in power generation sector with pinch analysis

Carbon constrained energy planning is conducted to ensure the allowable carbon emission limit for a nation is fulfilled following the increase in energy demands from growth and development. The increased demand in energy consumption through the years will require additional energy supply and generation which would subsequently increase carbon emission level. However the carbon emission levels in the environment for a country is subject to the allowable limits based on obligated emission limits. More often the reduction in carbon emission requires strategic planning and heavy investments via development of alternative energy (e.g., renewable energy) or carbon capture and storage (CCS) initiatives. This paper demonstrates the use of targeting technique based on pinch analysis in carbon constrained planning for multi-period scenario in a country. Applying CCS on existing power plants requires comprehensive planning in not only identifying the CCS method to be adopted but also the timing of the modifications. This is to ensure that power plant modifications and retrofitting are inline with the nation´s direction in balancing investments with environmental commitments. The timing of the execution can be distributed throughout a given planning horizon. This ensures flexibility for the nation in considering trade-offs between long term investments, expenditure and environmental-friendly policies.