Research Progress of Flexible Peak Shaving Technology for Coal-Fired Boilers

In the face of the pressing challenges of climate change and carbon emissions, China's energy and power sectors are actively working towards the strategic goal of establishing a new power system, where wind and solar energy will constitute a rapidly expanding portion of grid-connected power generation. Nevertheless, the inherent characteristics of these renewable energy sources, such as their randomness, intermittency, and volatility, pose significant challenges to ensuring the secure and stable operation of the power grid. Presently, China heavily relies on pulverized coal power plants, which lack the flexibility required to accommodate the fluctuating demands posed by renewable energy generation. Overcoming this technical obstacle and enabling efficient grid integration of renewable energy necessitates a thorough exploration of the potential of existing pulverized coal furnaces for flexible peaking operations, especially under extreme peak shaving conditions. To address this challenge, coal self-preheating combustion technology has emerged as a pioneering solution developed by the Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. By implementing preheating modification activation, this innovative approach alters the traditional combustion reaction path of pulverized coal, significantly enhancing its reaction activity. This advancement holds immense promise for achieving efficient and stable combustion, as well as facilitating rapid load changes in pulverized coal boilers operating at low loads. This study primarily focuses on discussing prevalent means of peaking technology, including low-load stable combustion technology, rapid load regulation technology, coupled peaking technology, and the development status of peaking technology for coal power units. Through in-depth research and innovation, it is anticipated that the effectiveness and viability of peaking technology will be further enhanced, promoting the sustainable development of pulverized coal boiler generating units and optimizing the operation of energy systems. Furthermore, the self-preheating combustion technology will increasingly play a pivotal role in multiple sectors and directions, such as flexible and deep peaking of coal power, driving the advancement and adoption of clean and effective coal utilization technology.