india casestudy2 thermal power plant

7/29/2019 India Casestudy2 Thermal Power Plant

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An India Case Study on

COMPREHENSIVE EIA OF

THERMAL POWER PLANT

Produced for AEDs training program under the USAID SARI/Energy project, by the

School of Environmental Management and Sustainable Development (schEMS) in Nepal,

with support from IRG Systems South Asia


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1. Description of Proposal

1.1 The project Proposal

The rapid industrialization and urbanization process coupled with increased use of electric

power for irrigation in Karnataka state has created a situation, where demand for power

has surpassed the growth in power generation. So in order to build up a reliable, stable and

effective power generation system, the integrated operation of hydro and thermal power

stations is considered to be necessary, with thermal power supplying base load and hydro

power as an effective supplement. Based on this strategy, the government of Karnataka

has taken a step to build up adequate thermal power generation capacity.

Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) has proposed to set up thermal power plant

with capacity of 1 x 500 MW in the first stage at the proposed Vijayanagar Thermal Power

Station located at 2.5 kms from Kudatini village, Bellary district.

KPCL generates most of the power required in Karnataka. KPCL is a premier public

sector specialized in power, with a total generation capacity of 3868 MW.

(Note: A brief description on project features would be appropriate to include here)

1.2 Location of Project

The proposed project covers an area of 1963.5 sq.km and includes Bellary and Chitradurga

districts of Karnataka and Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh. Most parts of the project

area are located within Bellary, however the proposed project marginally touches three

other talukas and include 269 villages.

1.3 Environment Impact Assessment and focus of the study

Environmental Impact Assessment essentially involves four steps

Base Line Study (Existing Environmental status)

Identification, Prediction, and mitigation measures

Evaluation of impacts on environment due to project.

Based on these four steps, the Environment Management Plan (EMP) has been formulated

to implement the mitigation plan in order to minimize adverse impacts.


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The scope of the EIA study includes a detailed characterization of the pre-project

environment within area of the proposed project as per the guideline of Ministry of

Environment and Forests, Govt. of India.

Under the scope of the study, the following areas have been selected to be analyzed fromEnvironmental Assessment point of view:

assess the present status of air, noise, water, land, hydrogeology and socio-

economic components of the environment.

identify and quantify significant impacts of the proposed project on the

environmental components.

evaluate the proposed pollution control measures, to prepare an Environmental

Management Plan, and suggest adequate control technologies for mitigation of

impacts.

delineate post constructional environmental quality monitoring program to be

pursued by the KPCL.

1.4 Nature and Scope of Issues

Following issues were identified in the process of Scoping.

Topography,

Air Quality

Water Environment,

Noise Levels

Land Environment

Land-use

Ecology

Terrestrial Ecology

Socio-economic Aspects

Agriculture, employment and income

Health

Civic amenities

Transmission lines

2. Social and Environmental Setting

The study area covers 25-km radius around the project site. The following sections

describe the existing social and environmental setting within the project area.


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Topography

The proposed project area is a flat terrain, located within Kudatini village of Bellary

District and surrounded hill ranges on South, North and West sides. The highest point of

Sandur hills is 3400 feet (1036 m) above the Sea level. The average elevation of the

project site is 475 m above mean sea level. Tungabhadra is the major river of Bellarydistrict, flows from southwest to the north east of the proposed project. Daroji tank is

another major water source of the area, located at 7.5 kms in of the proposed plant site.

Forest and Wild animals

Forests in the area can be divided into two main categories: dry deciduous and scrub

forests. The deciduous forests are mostly available in Sandur taluk at a distance of about

20-km from the proposed site. The Bellary and Hospet taluks have only scrub type of

forests. No noticeable wild animals are available in the project area.

Climate and Rainfall

The coldest months in the project area is November to the end of February. The lowest

mean temperature of 22.6 0c in the month of December. The maximum temperature

37.50C and the mean daily minimum is 18.50C maximum temperature is 42.50C. The

Southwest monsoon commences at the start of June and lasts up to the end of August

while the Northeast monsoon sets in by September and lasts until the end of December.

The average rainfall in the area ranges from 492 mm to 846 mm.

Wind Speed and Direction

The predominant wind direction in the month of Jan and Feb is from E to W and SE to

NW, with wind speed 2 kmph to 18 kmph, March and April E to W, with highest speed of

19 kmph and wind direction in March to September is W to E, SW to NE and NW to SE.

The Maximum wind speed is below 25 kmph.

Population Density

The maximum population density has been recorded at Hospet Taluk of 163.20 persons

per sq. km. At other places, the population density ranges from 119.71 to 154.04 persons

per square kilometer.

Sex Ratio

The male dominates the female population and for 1000 males the number of females

varies from 952 to 975.

Literacy

The maximum average literacy rate of 36.62% but it varies from 26 to 27%.


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Infrastructure and other services facilities

There are 8 government hospitals, 18 private hospital, 42 nursing homes and 24 health

centers. Primary schools, secondary schools and colleges are many in the project area.

Transport facilities and communication services of provided by the States have served by

both road and rail transport. The road network consists of asphalted roads in urban area aswell as kutcha roads in rural area. Drinking water sources constitute wells; bore wells and

water supply schemes. Backwardness, low agricultural output, lack of industrialization and

irrigation facilities has worsened the economy of the project area.

Geology

The Granite and gneisses of Archean age occupy the low-lying area. Most parts of the

areas have been covered by red soil, thickness of which varies from 1 to 5m. Thick bed of

alluvium varying in the thickness from 2 to 25 with pebbly bed ranging in thickness from

3 to 15 are seen along the entire course.

3. Policy & Regulatory Review

Currently, the MoEF is the nodal agency at the central level responsible for planning,

promoting, and coordinating environmental programs and formulating environmental

policy. At the center, responsibilities for industrial pollution prevention and control are

primarily executed by the CPCB, a statutory authority attached to the MoEF. The CPCB

was constituted in September 1974 for implementing provisions of the Water Act and, in

1981, the Air Act. The State Department of Environment and Forests (SDEF) the state

pollution control board (SPCB) are the designated agencies to perform these functions at

the state level.

Environment Protection Act, 1986

This is an umbrella legislation to provide for the protection and improvement of

environment and for matters connected there with. This act gives specific definitions,

which are to be used in all rules enacted under this act. This Act provides power to the

Central Government to take all such measures, as it deems necessary for the purpose of

protecting and improving the quality of the environment and preventing and abatingenvironmental pollution. The central government also has to lay down standards for

emission or discharge of environmental pollutants from various sources having regard to

the quality or composition of the emission or discharge of environmental pollutants from

such sources.


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The penalties set under this act are imprisonment, which may extend to 5 months and/ or

fines of up to rupees hundred thousand of Rupees. In case of continuing offences fines of

Rs. 5000/day may be charged.

Minimum National Standards (MINAS)

The rules under the Environment Protection Act provide for industry specific standards

(total of 79 industry sectors) and general standards of discharge of environmental

pollutants in Inland Surface water i.e. like lakes and rivers, Public Sewers, Land for

Irrigation and Coastal Areas. Minimum National Standards for thermal power plants have

been formulated for pollution control in India.

The Environmental Impact Assessment Notification, 1994

The Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India notified the Impact (EIA)

Notification, 1994 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. As per the notification,

30 types of industries scheduled therein have to obtain the environmental clearance from

the Government of India. Any organization, which desires to undertake any new project or

the expansion or modernization of any existing industry or project, with investment of

more than Rs.5 crores, requires conducting an environmental impact assessment. These

projects require an environmental clearance from the central government. The clearance

granted shall be valid for a period of five years from commencement of the construction or

operation of the project. No construction work, preliminary or otherwise, relating to the

setting up of the project may be undertaken till the environmental and/or site clearance is

obtained.

The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974,

The Water Act established the general standards for effluent discharge into receiving

water in order to prevent water pollution. The major responsibilities of SPCBs under the

Act include granting consent to establish and operate facilities, restricting areas of

operation, conducting surveys and determining the use and misuse of streams and wells

within its jurisdiction.

The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, as amended in 1987to 99

The general legislative conditions of this act are similar to the Water Act in terms of

obligations, responsibilities and penalties. The primary responsibility for controlling air

pollution resides with the SPCB. Under the Air Act the state governments are authorized

to designate any area or areas within the state as an air pollution control area, after

consulting with the SPCB and notifying the official gazette. Depending upon the quality of


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air in the designated area(s), the SPCB may set air emission standards in the notified area.

The standards set by the SPCBs shall not be more lenient than the ambient air standards

set by the CPCB. For any industry to be established in the air pollution control area, the

consent to establish and consent to operate must be given by the state.

Noise Pollution (Control And Regulations) Rules, 1999

This rule is to reduce the noise pollution from various sources, inter-alia, industrial

activities, public address systems, generator sets, construction activity, that may affects the

physical and psychological well being of the people. Ambient noise standards for different

areas have been specified in Annexure of these rules. The Central Government or its

designated authorities may categorize areas into industrial, commercial, residential or

silence zones for the purpose of implementation of noise standards for different areas. An

area up to 100 meters around hospitals, educational institutions and courts and sensitive

areas (i.e. forests) shall be declared as a silence zone for the purpose of these rules.

Other rules, which may be applicable from case to case, are as follows:

The Hazardous Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 1989.

The Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules (MSIHC),

1989 (as amended in October 1994 and January 2000).

Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991

The National Environmental Tribunal Act, 1995.

Chemical Accidents (Emergency Planning, Preparedness & Response) Rules,

1996.

The Factories Act, 1948, as amendment in 1976 and 1987.

The Petroleum Act, 1934 and rules framed there under

The Motor Vehicles Act as amended in 1988

Gas Cylinder Rules, 1981

4. Impact Assessment and Mitigation measures.

Ecology

The study area covers major Sandur State Forest. The proposed site is having an extensive

agricultural land with small patches of vegetative cover. However, the project activity will

not have much impact on the vegetative cover. There are no wild animals in the project

area and the clearing of the area will not create any loss of habitat to the animals and birds.

Development of green belt and forestation program in the affected area as suggested in

EIA report will improve the situation of forest and habitat.


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Environmental Pollution

Water: There is only a marginal increase in the water pollution due to sanitary and

wastewater generated from plant operation. However treatment facilities will be developed

and the used water will be discharged only after proper treatment.

Air: There will be marked increase in dust and NOX level during construction phase of

project. Different measures have been prescribed to control such pollution. During the

operational phase, there will be some concentrations of SPM and SO2 due to the usage of

fossil fuel, which will be controlled by the use of Electrostatic Precipitator.

Land: The project implementation will not affect the land because the land procured will

be dry and un-irrigated and non-productive. However the private land will be compensated

and effect on clearing of the vegetation cover will be offset by the green belt development.

Noise: During the construction phase the increase in Noise level is 80- 85 dB (A) due to

the erection, construction and commissioning of equipments. During the operational phase

the increase in the sound levels is mainly due to boilers, compressors, and turbines etc.

However, with proper implementation of EMP, this effect can be mitigated.

Aesthetics: There will not be any change in the topographical characteristics of the area

due to the project.

Human Interest: The area is having little industrial growth due to non-availability of

power. Hence, with the setting up of Thermal Power Plant as a major industry, will

enhance the socio-economic condition of the project area.

Overall Impact Evaluation: The overall changes are mostly due to the improved

economic output, better land use due to the green belt and minor changes in the NOx

levels. By proper implementation of EMP most of the effects can be mitigated.

5.0 Environmental Management Plan (EMP)

The Environmental Management Plan (EMP) is the document that ensures the

implementation of mitigation prescriptions for environmental protection and sustainable

development. EMP requires the involvement of project related stakeholders e.g. industry,

Government, regulating agencies and the affected population of the project area. The

salient features of EMP are as follows:

1. Management during construction phase.

2. Management during the post construction phase


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3. Post Project Monitoring

Management during construction phase

Following are the briefs measures suggested by EMP for the proposed project:

Frequent water sprinkling in the vicinity of the construction activity to control the

dust emission,

Paving the exposed surface to control dust and erosion

Plantation of bare and exposed area and development of green belts

Adopt noise control devices, storing of fuels in safe place and dumping of debris

and waste in proper sanitary landfill site

Management during the operational phase:

The measures to be taken during the operational phase of the plant are as follows:

Air pollution and proposed control measures

Air Pollution

Parameter

Concentration Control measures

SPM 410 Kg / hr from the

stack

Electro Static Precipitator

having 99.5

% Efficiency

SO2 1436.4 Kg / hr from

the

Height of Proposed stack

Is 275 meter

NOx < 100 PPM Low Nox burners will be used

The Green Belt will act as a cushion between the stack emissions and the outside

environment. On-line monitoring of stack emissions for SPM, SO2 and NOx should be

carried out regularly to meet the statuary requirements. Green belt will be provided around

the project area and along the internal roads in the premises.

Water pollution and proposed control measures

The sources of water pollution are, ash pond, leaching from coal yard, and boiler blowdown, and oil/water mixture from fuel oil system, sewage disposal and effluent treatment

plant.

The pollution control measures are given below:

Minimize quantity of effluents through reuse to maximum extent feasible.

The cooling water chlorination will be carried out to the bare minimum

requirement in order to have minimum impact on the receiving bodies.


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The treatment schemes proposed are constructed before the commissioning the

plant.

The effluent samples will be collected and analyzed at the inlet and the outlet daily

to ascertain the efficiency of the treatment plants and to meet the statuary

requirements.

Noise Pollution and Proposed Control Measures:

All the equipment in the power plant will be designed to have a total noise level

not exceeding 85-90 dB (A) as per the requirement of OSHA (Occupational

Safety and Health Administration) standard.

Turbines will be housed in closed buildings, which will reduce the noise levels

from the turbine generators.

Steam turbine generators will be provided with acoustic enclosures and the intake

exhaust system will be provided with silencers for abating the noise.

Vibration damping will be provided to reduce vibrations.

Use of damping materials such as thin rubber / lead sheet for wrapping the work

places like the turbine halls, compressor rooms, DG sets etc.

Efficient flow techniques for noise associated with high fluid velocities and

turbulence will be used.

All the openings like covers; partitions will be acoustically sealed.

Reflected noise should be diffused by the use of absorbing material on root walls

and floors.

Earplugs will be provided to the workers, and it should be enforced to be used by

the workers.

vegetated thickly with species of rich canopy in addition to green belt

development.

Solid Waste pollution and Proposed Control Measures:

Ash Disposal Plan will be prepared

An attempt will be made to use fly ash for following products:

1. Building blocks

2. Cement industry

3. Light weight aggregates

4. Area filling

5. Cellular concrete

6. Ready mixed fly ash concrete

7. Fly ash masonry / plasters

8. Cement asbestos products

9. Soil stabilization in road construction

10. Agricultural manure

To sell fly ash to other consumers at a nominal price or free of cost.


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Thermal pollution and proposed control measures:

Regenerative feed heating cycle will be used in the process.

Land management

1. Clearing of the existing vegetation will be kept to a minimum and only tothe required extent.

2. Railway siding, water intake facility and water disposal facility will be so

routed that, apart from techno-economic feasibility and other aspects, it will

require minimum destruction of vegetation. The roadside plantation will

save the existing ecological scenario.

3. Active help from the locals will be solicited in preserving the greenbelt.

They will be educated and discouraged destroying the vegetation for fuel

purposes etc.

Green-belt development program will be implemented.

Socio-economic Environment

Before taking up of the project, the local population will be apprised of the impending

changes. They will be educated and made to appreciate the implications of the setting of

the project.

The management will adopt nearby villages and undertake development activities to

improve the standards of their Living. Dispensaries, schools, transport facilities, roads,

streetlight, water supply etc., will be made available in these villages. Setting up of

ancillary units and self-employment schemes should be encouraged.

Post Project Monitoring

Air Environment

Online stack monitoring for estimating the concentrations of SPM, SO2, NOx and CO will

be carried out. Stack Kit with ORSAT apparatus will also be kept as an alternative.

Ambient air quality monitoring for variations in the ground level concentrations of SO2,

NOx, CO and SPM will be carried out.

Water environment

Effluents as well as the samples from the down stream Nallah and the connecting will be

collected monitored regularly. The sampling and analysis should be done as per IS: 2488.


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6.0 Lessons Learned

1. Number of issues require higher degree of competence at functional and

organization level.

2. Need for institutionalization of environment issues into organization structure for

effective implementation.

3. Need for better infrastructure to address environmental monitoring.

4. Need for environment post project, monitoring and reporting.

Conclusion

MoEF and State government has cleared the project proposal and the project will be

implemented shortly.

7. Bibliography

Environment Protection Act, 1986, Government of India

Minimum National Standards (MINAS), Government of India

Noise Pollution (Control and Regulations) Rules, 1999, Government of India

The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, Government of India

The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, as amended in 1987to 99,

Government of India

The Environmental Impact Assessment Notification, 1994, Government of India

The Hazardous Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 1989, Government of

India

The Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules (MSIHC),

1989 (as amended in October 1994 and January 2000), Government of India

Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991, Government of India

The National Environmental Tribunal Act, 1995, Government of India

Chemical Accidents (Emergency Planning, Preparedness & Response) Rules,

1996, Government of India

The Factories Act, 1948, as amendment in 1976 and 1987, Government of India

The Petroleum Act, 1934, Government of India

The Motor Vehicles Act as amended in 1988, Government of India

Gas Cylinder Rules, 1981, Government of India

EIA Notification, 1994 issued under EP Act, 1981, Ministry of Environment &

Forests, Government of India.


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7.1 Contact Details

Name of the writer and contact details:

Amit JainManaging Director

IRg Systems South Asia Pvt. Ltd.

C-57, Shivalik,

Gitanjali-Panchsheel Road,

New Delhi - 110 017

Tel:+91-11-2668 5313 / 5314 / 9457

Fax:+91-11-2668 9996

Mobile: 9811295055

e-Mail: [email protected]

URL: http://www.irgindia.com

india casestudy2 thermal power plant

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