Abstract
Mae Moh Coal-Fired Power Plant in Thailand has held the second share of utility power generation in Thailand, approximately 22.7% of all utility-produced electricity (EGAT, 2000). However, there are plenty of environmental arguments of this only one power plant that using coal energy for generating electricity. Therefore, understanding the environmental impacts of the power plant system is necessary in order to find possible and suitable ways for waste reduction and system improvement. The aim of the study is first to apply Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) with Numerical Eco-Load Total Standardization (NETS), which used for evaluating the environmental burdens by identifying and quantifying energy and materials used and waste released to environment based on the balance of L & R (Loader and Receiver) tolerance. And the Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) of the power plant system has been developed. The second is to determine the performance cost by using Life Cycle Costing analysis (LCC) and to compare with other types of coal-fire generating systems. As the result, environmental load and economical cost for comparative power plants are discussed from life cycle thinking point of view to indicate for the better ecological and economical coal-fired power generation system for Thailand.
