PLANET EARTH

Environment Management During Operation Phase

NTPC's environment friendly approach to power has already begun to show results in conservation of natural resources such as water and fuel (coal, oil & gas) as well as control of environmental pollution. As already mentioned earlier, NTPC has chalked out a set of well defined activities that are envisaged right from the
project conceptualisation stage so that during the entire life cycle of the power plant, NTPC is fully compliant with various environment regulations and a pristine environment and ecological balance is maintained in and around its power station and townships. Following is brief description of some of the measures taken during the operation phase of the stations. Performance enhancement and up-gradation measures are undertaken by the organisation during the post operational stage of the stations. These activities have greatly helped to minimise the impact on environment and preserve the ecology in and around its power projects. These measures have been enumerated as follows.


Monitoring of Environmental Parameters:

A broad based Environment Monitoring Programme has been formulated and implemented in NTPC. All pollutants discharged from the power plant such as stack emission, ash pond effluent, main plant effluent,
domestic effluent and Condenser Cooling Water (CCW) effluent are monitored at the stipulated frequency at the source itself and at the points of discharge. In addition to the above, ambient air, surface water and ground water quality in and around NTPC plants are regularly monitored to assess any adverse impacts as a
result of operation of the power plant. On-Line Data Base Management: In order to have better control on pollution and to achieve effective environment management in and around NTPC stations, it is imperative to have an on-line, reliable and efficient environment information system on the plant operational and environmental performance parameters at all three levels i.e generating Stations, Regional Headquarters and Corporate Centre. In consideration of the above, a computerized programme, namely "Paryavaran
Monitoring System" - PMS, which could provide reliable storage, prompt and accurate flow of information on environmental performance of Stations was developed and installed in NTPC. This software facilitates direct transfer of environment reports and other environment related information from stations to
the Regional Headquarters and Corporate Centre. The PMS has already been implemented at Corporate Centre, the Regional Headquarters and most of the Stations. This system has helped in achieving continuous improvement in NTPC’s environment performance through improved monitoring and reporting system by using the trend analysis and advanced data management techniques.

Environment Reviews:
To maintain constant vigil on environmental compliance, Environmental Reviews are carried out at all operating stations and remedial measures have been taken wherever necessary. As a feedback and follow-up of these Environmental Reviews, a number of retrofit and up-gradation measures have been undertaken at different stations. Such periodic Environmental Reviews and extensive monitoring of the facilities carried out at all stations have helped in compliance with the environmental norms and timely renewal of the Air and Water Consents. Upgradation & Retrofitting of Pollution Control Systems: In order to keep pace with the changing norms and ensure compliance with statutory requirements in the field of pollution control, NTPC keeps an open mind for Renovation and Modernisation (R & M) and Retrofitting and Upgradation of pollution monitoring and control facilities in its existing stations. It is important to mention that such modifications/retrofit programs not only helped in betterment of environment but also in resource conservation.

High efficiency Electro-Static Precipitators (ESPs) of the order of 99.5% and above have been provided at NTPC stations for control of stack particulate emissions. However, the ESPs of a number of stations were built prior to the promulgation of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and notification of emission
control standards under this Act. Remedial measures have already been taken up and implemented to improve the efficiency of the existing ESPs at various NTPC stations. ESP performance enhancement programme by adopting advanced microprocessor based Electrostatic Precipitator Management System (EPMS) was installed at its power stations at Singrauli, Ramagundam, Korba, Farakka, Rihand,
Vindhyachal and Unchahar. Additional ESPs were retrofitted in the older power stations, namely at Badarpur and Talcher Thermal. As a result of the above retrofits, the emission of Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) has been brought down appreciably at the above stations and is maintained within the present statutory limit of 150 mg/Nm3. In new projects, the ESPs have been designed for a maximum permissible outlet dust emission of 50 mg/Nm3 to meet the likely stringent emission norms in the near future.