Improving Auxiliary Power Consumption in Coal-Based Thermal Power Plants: A Path to Tariff Reduction
Introduction Coal-based thermal power plants (TPPs) remain a cornerstone of electricity generation in India and many other countries. Despite the global push toward renewables, coal continues to account for over 50% of India’s installed capacity. However, one of the persistent challenges in coal-fired TPPs is Auxiliary Power Consumption (APC) , the energy consumed by internal systems to keep the plant operational. Typically ranging from 7% to 10% of gross generation, high APC directly impacts the net power available for sale and, consequently, the tariff. Reducing APC is not only a technical necessity but also a strategic imperative to improve plant economics, reduce emissions, and remain competitive in the evolving energy market. Understanding Auxiliary Power Consumption Auxiliary power refers to the electricity consumed by various subsystems within the plant, including: Boiler Feed Pumps (BFP) Induced Draft (ID) Fans Forced Draft (FD) Fans Primary Air...