Trace Metal Content of Coal Exacerbates Air-Pollution-Related Health Risks: The Case of Lignite Coal in Kosovo

Abstract

More than 6600 coal-fired power plants serve an estimated five billion people globally and contribute 46% of annual CO emissions. Gases and particulate matter from coal combustion are harmful to humans and often contain toxic trace metals. The decades-old Kosovo power stations, Europe's largest point source of air pollution, generate 98% of Kosovo's electricity and are due for replacement. Kosovo will rely on investment from external donors to replace these plants. Here, we examine non-CO emissions and health impacts by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to analyze trace metal content in lignite coal from Obilic, Kosovo. We find significant trace metal content normalized per kWh of final electricity delivered (As (22.3 ± 1.7), Cr (44.1 ± 3.5), Hg (0.08 ± 0.010), and Ni (19.7 ± 1.7) mg/kWh). These metals pose health hazards that persist even with improved grid efficiency. We explore the air-pollution-related risk associated with several alternative energy development pathways. Our analysis estimates that Kosovo could avoid 2300 premature deaths by 2030 with investments in energy efficiency and solar PV backed up by natural gas. Energy policy decisions should account for all associated health risks, as should multilateral development banks before guaranteeing loans on new electricity projects.

Evaluating China's fossil-fuel CO<sub>2</sub> emissions from a comprehensive dataset of nine inventories

“…We recommended substituting IPCC default coal EF with the CEADs EF. Regarding the plant-level emissions from coal consumptions, the collection of their EFs measured at fields representing the quality and type of various coals are highly needed to calibrate the large point source emissions, and we call for inclusion of physical measurements for calibration and validation of existing datasets (Bai et al, 2007;Dai et al, 2012;Kittner et al, 2018;Yao et al, 2019). Different fuel types would contribute differently to emission factors, i.e., for the same net heating value, natural gas emitted lowest carbon dioxide (61.7 kg CO 2 /TJ energy), followed by oil (65.3 kg CO 2 /TJ energy) and coal (94.6 kg CO 2 /TJ energy), and one successful example for reducing air pollutants and CO 2 was that the Chinese government initiated the "project of replacement of coal with natural gas and electricity in North China" in 2016 .…”

Achieving a Flexible and Sustainable Energy System: The Case of Kosovo

“…It can be seen that the highest negative value of the net import/export was -405 MW which was registered on January 1st 2015 h19, while the highest positive value of the net import/export was 448 MW which was registered on May 19th 2015 h4. The major part of the electricity generation is covered by CHP plant with an installed capacity of 678 MW and the condensing power plant with an installed capacity of 610 MW [50]. The heat demand in Kosovo which is covered from cogeneration makes up 5% of the total value and in terms of energy is estimated to be 201.08 GWh.…”

“…Very small differences in electricity demand data during some months of 2015 indeed represent the accuracy of the model developed in EnergyPLAN. The major part of the electricity generation is covered by CHP plant with an installed capacity of 678 MW and the condensing power plant with an installed capacity of 610 MW [50]. The heat demand in Kosovo which is covered from cogeneration makes up 5% of the total value and in terms of energy is estimated to be 201.08 GWh.…”

“…The second objective is one of the most important and discussed topics of these times. From some measurements conducted by international organizations, Kosovo has been one of the world leader countries in regard to air pollution during winter months of 2017-2018 [50]. CO 2 emissions affect not only the health of human beings and the environment, but the society as a whole [50].…”

“…From some measurements conducted by international organizations, Kosovo has been one of the world leader countries in regard to air pollution during winter months of 2017-2018 [50]. CO 2 emissions affect not only the health of human beings and the environment, but the society as a whole [50]. Considering the above-raised issues, a well-planned and comprehensive framework for the reduction of greenhouse gases is seen as of utter importance.…”