A model of the system to cut down emissions from coal-fired power plants is displayed at the 2017 Astana Expo in Kazakhstan. [Photo/zjenergy.com.cn]

Zhejiang Energy Group, a State-owned company based in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, has performed well in greatly decreasing pollutant emissions from coal-fired power plants, according to a news conference on July 5.

The group recently became the country's first large power generation company to achieve ultra-low emission, thanks to new technology.

The system for cleaning emissions from power plants was jointly developed by a subsidiary company of Zhejiang Energy Group and Zhejiang University, and was put into use in 2014 at Jiaxing's power station. It reduces the amount of emissions from coal-fired power plants like nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxides to well below the national standards of those from gas-powered plants. So far, the advanced technology has been applied to 46 coal-fired generator operated by the group.

Ke Jixin, general manager of Zhejiang Energy Group explained the effects of the cleaning system: "The emissions are just one-sixth of the European Union's environmental standards, and the system can remove over 70 percent of PM 2.5 (particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometers), which helps to reduce air pollution.”

Being environmentally friendly is not the only benefit of the system, said an official from Zhejiang energy administration. It also helps lower the cost of utilizing energy sources as using coal to generate electricity is cheaper than using natural gas. In 2016, the output of electricity produced by coal-fired generators in China was 4 trillion kWh, representing one-third of total energy generated. If all the country's coal-fired generators adopted Zhejiang Energy Group's system, trillions of yuan could be saved when the amount of emissions reaches the same level as those from gas-powered generators.

"Considering China is abundant in coal resources and not rich in gas and petroleum, the energy supply will be coal-oriented for a long time," said Jin Guosheng, director of the electricity department of Zhejiang energy administration.

"The air pollution in our country is partly attributed to coal-fired electricity generators," said Jin, adding that the cleaning technology is of great significance in boosting economic development while also protecting the environment.

Leaders of Zhejiang Energy Group announces it has applied new technology to decrease pollutant emissions in all its 46 coal-fired generator sets at a news conference in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on July 5. [Photo/zjenergy.com.cn]