New Delhi, September 20 (IANS). Coal India Limited (CIL) is gradually evolving from a traditional coal mining company into a diversified energy, minerals, materials and technology-focused organization. Its initiatives across coal gasification, efficient power generation, renewable energy and battery energy storage systems (BESS), critical minerals, advanced materials and research and development (R&D) are laying the broad foundation for this transformation. This information was given by the company on Sunday.
The company's business development portfolio is organized around five mutually reinforcing areas, the statement said. These include coal gasification and coal to chemicals, thermal power, renewable energy and storage, critical minerals and advanced materials and diversified minerals including iron ore.
This portfolio already includes several national level projects. These include an investment of approximately Rs 69,346 crore in four coal-to-chemicals initiatives, 2×800 MW Chandrapura ultra-supercritical expansion, operational solar capacity of approximately 550 MW, grid-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects and opportunities in critical minerals and downstream materials.
In coal gasification, coal is converted into synthesis gas or syngas. It can be used in the production of synthetic natural gas (SNG), ammonia, urea, ammonium nitrate, methanol and other chemicals. This technology can help in extracting chemical value from coal as well as reduce dependence on imports.
CIL's four major coal-to-chemicals initiatives include Talcher Fertilizers Limited, Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Limited, Coal Gas India Limited and CIL-BPCL Chandrapura Coal-to-SNG Initiative.
The technical priorities of these initiatives include adapting processes to high-ash Indian coal, process optimization, localization of critical equipment, advanced process control and digital twin, predictive maintenance and improved water, ash and emission management. The decision to replicate the projects will be taken only after verification of operational data and commercial performance.
Underground coal gasification (UCG) is a potential way to convert coal that lies deep or is not otherwise mineable into syngas. Since this technology is not yet commercially proven globally, CIL is working on a phased pilot project in the Kasta West block of Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL).
CIL and Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) are implementing a 2×800 MW ultra-supercritical brownfield expansion project at Chandrapura, Jharkhand. For this, the share of both in the proposed joint venture will be 50:50. DVC will help in sale of electricity. The future focus will be on high-efficiency power generation, predictive maintenance, flexible operation of the plant, emission control, water recycling and scientific utilization of ash.
According to the statement, CIL has commissioned about 550 MW of solar capacity, while rooftop, ground-mounted, captive, interstate and market-linked solar projects are in the development stage. CIL is working on two models including captive solar projects to reduce power cost and carbon footprint and utility-scale projects to generate renewable power at commercial scale.
CIL is also developing a 20 MW AC grid-connected floating solar project at Chilva Tal, Gorakhpur. For suitable water bodies, floating solar provides a land-less alternative.
CIL's Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) help in grid integration of renewable energy, peak demand management, grid flexibility and better utilization of transmission capacity. CIL's initiatives include the TGGENCO Choutuppal project in Telangana. The company is also developing a BESS portfolio of 80 MW/320 MW-hour capacity at four locations in Odisha with a storage period of four hours.
CIL is also working on opportunities related to critical minerals. These minerals are essential for batteries, electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, electronics, advanced manufacturing, aerospace and defense. According to the statement, CIL's opportunities in India include graphite properties in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and rare earth elements (REE) and rare metals opportunities in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.
–IANS
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