The cleaner coal units at Kingsnorth will be built using the best available technologies that will see us producing electricity from coal far more efficiently and far more cleanly than ever seen before.

The technology we're proposing to use is known as 'supercritical', which relates to the temperatures and pressures that can be achieved within the power station's boilers. Whereas the UK's existing coal-fired power stations typically have efficiencies of around 35 - 38 per cent, supercritical boilers will allow us to boost efficiency by approximately 20 per cent, thereby allowing for a 20 per cent reduction in carbon emissions for every unit of electricity produced.    

In addition to improved efficiency, the new units will also be fitted with specialist emissions control equipment to further clean up the plant.

Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR)

The SCR process reduces the concentration of oxides of nitrogen using a system much like the catalytic converter in a car exhaust. The exhaust gases enter the SCR system, are mixed with ammonia and are reacted over a catalyst to reduce emissions by over 70 per cent. If built, the new units would be the first to use SCR in the UK.

Electrostatic Precipitators

Nearly all (99.8 per cent) of the dust produced as a direct result of the generation process will be removed by the electrostatic precipitators. An electrical field is transferred to the dust particles in the exhaust gases, which are then collected on an oppositely charged plate. This dust is temporarily stored and can be put to use in the construction industry.

Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD)

FGD allows over 90 per cent of sulphur dioxide emissions to be removed through a chemical reaction involving limestone. As the exhaust gases pass through a fine spray of limestone slurry, the sulphur dioxide in the gas reacts to produce calcium sulphite. This is converted to calcium sulphate (also known as gypsum), which can then be used in many commercial applications such as the manufacture of plasterboard.

Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS)

The new units will also be built 'carbon capture ready' meaning that we could fit specialist equipment to remove almost all the carbon dioxide from the plant before it reaches the atmosphere.

The generation process for Kingsnorth's new units (PDF, 424KB)