CRITICAL EVALUATION OF LOW-CARBON ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES

The current article provides critical evaluation of low-carbon electricity production technologies from Polish perspective. Five main evaluation criteria are proposed: I - CO2 generation intensity, II - electricity production capacity, III - cost of electricity, IV - perspectives for near-term deployment in Poland and V - risks. Based on the results of the performed critical comparison four low-carbon electricity production technologies are recommended for Poland: (A) biogas, (B) wind, (C) fossil fuel/CCS and (D) solid biomass. Further, based on the formulated recommendations five specific emerging low-carbon power cycles, i.e. OG-SCLC-GT, MSG-GT, OR-FC, TCD-FC and OG-GT are briefly characterised. It is indicated that 'negative net CO2 emissions' from decarbonisation of biogas [6] is realistic and can be very important for decarbonisation of electricity production in Poland. Finally, it is emphasised that due to moderate CO2 generation intensity and complexity of other low-carbon technological options, natural gas can be recommended as a technological bridge to low-carbon future in Poland until at least 2030.