Vinh Tan 2 thermal power plant in Binh Thuan province (Photo: zing.vn)Hanoi (VNA) – The 14th Multi-PollutantEmissions from Coal Workshop, held in Hanoi on October 28, pulled togetherinternational experts, scientists and policy makers who laid stress on thesignificance of advanced technologies to control mercury and multi-pollutant emissionsfrom coal combustion.
At the event, organised by the Clean Coal Centre under the International EnergyAgency (IEA) in collaboration with the Hanoi University of Natural Resourcesand Environment, they shared results of scientific research and managementexperience so as to outline strategies to branch out state-of-the-arttechnologies to curb and reduce pollutants from coal utilities.
According to Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Vo Tuan Nhan,coal burning for power generation results in emissions of particulates, Sulfurdioxide (SO2), Nitrogen oxides (NOx), mercury and heavy metals, among others,which have critical impact on the environment and human health.
While other regions are promoting the use of “green” energy, Asia is stilldependent on coal burning to meet energy demand, he said, adding Asia is miningand burning three-quarters of the world’s coal.
In recent years, Asian nations have worked to boost production of renewableenergy. However, their efforts are insufficient, especially when coal-generatedelectricity is playing an important role to ensure energy security in SoutheastAsian countries like Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia.
Dang Ha Son from the Centre for Energy and Green Growth Research said Vietnamhas increased import of bituminous coal to meet demand for industrialactivities and power generation.
The country should apply advanced measures to use energy in an effective way,and it is necessary for the state-owned agencies to carry out meticulous studyto lay down standards to curb sulfur and mercury emissions from industrialplants, he suggested.
Meanwhile, Lesley Sloss, a representative from the Clean Coal Centre, saidthere are many technologies to reduce pollutants from coal burning, andmanagement of mercury can be done by using clean coal./.
VNA
