The world’s first oil-free power plant fueled by high-moisture lignite has completed a successful three-year trial run in China, marking a major step forward in cleaner, more flexible coal-fired power generation.
Original By NLS
The world’s first oil-free power plant fueled by high-moisture lignite has completed a successful three-year trial run in China, marking a major step forward in cleaner, more flexible coal-fired power generation. Developed by China Energy’s Guodian Power, the project was carried out at the Shengli Power Plant and centers on a cutting-edge plasma ignition system. The technology enables the plant to ignite and maintain stable, full-load combustion of lignite with a moisture content of 38.6%—without using any fuel oil.
Traditionally, coal-fired power plants rely on oil burners for boiler ignition and load stabilization. This new system replaces oil with a high-power plasma generator that features several technical innovations, including a concentrated plasma coal burner, contact arc ignition, column-type cathodes, multi-stage air inlets with multiple anodes, and an integrated control and power module.
By eliminating the need for oil, the technology reduces costs and emissions while ensuring that dust removal, desulfurization, and denitrification systems operate normally during ignition and startup. Emissions remain within national environmental standards.
The project has passed a formal scientific and technological evaluation and has been recognized as internationally leading. Its success offers a viable and economical solution for high-moisture lignite units to participate in deep peak-load regulation—an increasingly important role as more intermittent renewable energy sources like wind and solar connect to the grid.
Experts say the breakthrough not only enhances the operational flexibility of coal-fired power plants but also supports China Energy’s broader push toward green, low-carbon energy transformation. It reflects a shift in coal power’s role—from serving primarily as baseload supply to acting as a flexible and responsive system resource.