Environment

• Environmental Protection Management
• Strategy
• Coal Power Plant Energy By-Products
• Monitoring and assessment of environmental impacts
• The CEZ, a. s. Environmental Protection Policy

 

Environmental Protection Management

In 1997, the CEZ, a. s. management announced, in a Board of Directors' declaration, its commitment to assert within the company requirements specified in the EN ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems international standard. The decision was implemented as a change in the environmental protection management system,  based on integration of requirements specified in the standard into the management system of the company and its power plants, through the major steps as follows:

1. Adoption of the "CEZ Environmental Protection Policy“ at the company Board of Directors level, as well as related specific policies according to the company organizational hierarchy and local conditions ( there are specific environmental policies for, e.g.,  CEZ conventional energy division, coal power plants, hydro-power plants, and nuclear power plants), and publication of such documents ("policy", further on)
2. Development of a policy implementation plan, based on recognition of operation, service, or product elements from the viewpoint of their potential environmental impacts, i.e. their environmental aspects
3. Identification of measurable targets in the field of environmental protection management, together with target values, programs, and projects aiming to fulfill the targets and the overall policy
4. Implementation of changes, focusing on management of environmental aspects and realization of programs adopted
5. Education and training of employees in issues of reduction of negative environmental effects in production processes
6. Compliance verification of dealings, activities, and procedures with commitments determined within the policy and identification of potentials for improvements in the environmental protection management

Between 1998 and 2001, the CEZ, a. s. integrated requirements specified in CSN EN ISO 14001, gradually into all management systems of the conventional energy division, including all its coal and hydro-power plants, as well as within the management system of NPP Dukovany. Having performed certification audits verifying the system compliance with the standard, the CEZ's Nuclear Power Plant Dukovany in 2001 and CEZ's conventional energy division in 2002, received internationally recognized certificates of Environmental Management System (EMS). The certificates received are validated in periodical and recertification audits. For CEZ, a.s., the EMS implementation and its follow-up certification do not represent an objective, as such, but they are merely a means of prevention in environmental protection and management of activities, and/or their environmental aspects, in order to minimize negative environmental effects.

Through such an transition towards active environmental protection, the CEZ, a.s. enhances good results of technical measures implemented since 1992 until the end of 1998.

 

Strategy

The basic strategy of CEZ is to produce electric energy and heat in a way considerate for the environment. This was why in 1992 we launched the programme of desulphurization and modernization of our power stations.

The environmental program of CEZ includes the desulphurization of the total power capacity of 5,930 MW in 32 coal-firing units, the construction of seven fluidized-bed boilers at four power stations, improvement in the efficiency of ash precipitators and the implementation of measures designed to cut the production of nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide. The capacity of 2,020 MW is scheduled to be decommissioned.

The power station desulphurization program has started the fastest in North Bohemia. In 1994, the desulphurization equipment at the Pocerady Power Station(2 x 200 MW) was launched, followed in 1995 by that in Prunerov(4 x 110 MW). In these stations, the wet limestone scrubbing technique was used, which is envisaged to be deployed in 90% of coal-firing units of CEZ. At two units in the Ledvice Power Station, the combined semi-dry limestone desulphurization technique has been deployed.

In autumn 1995, the first fluidized-bed boiler at the Tisova Power Station was launched into operation testing. With its output of 350 tons of steam per hour, the unit became the biggest system of its type in the Czech Republic. Other fluidized-bed boilers have been constructed in the Hodonin and Ledvice power stations and in the Porici Power Station.

Currently, desulphurization units and fluidized-bed boilers are being operated at power stations of the total rated power of 4,810 MW and 442 MW respectively, which amounts to 82% of the company program. In older power stations, 1,125 MW of capacity have been decommissioned. The desulphurization program will have allowed to cut the SO₂ emissions from the CEZ coal-firing power stations by over 90%.

Concurrently with the desulphurization efforts, reconstruction works on fly-ash precipitators and boiler modifications designed to cut the emissions of fly-ash and NO_x have been under way at all coal-firing power stations of CEZ. The upgraded electric fly-ash precipitators achieve the efficiency of 99.8%. The emissions of ash and NO_x will have dropped by over 90% and 50% respectively compared with 1991.

Emissions of pollutants are kept under current supervision and monitoring by CEZ. In all power stations, automatic continuous emissions measurements are carried out and the competent authorities are kept currently informed on the on-line basis .

Act No. 309/1991 Sb. sets the emissions limits for solid air pollutants (fly-ash), sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides (NO_x) and carbon monoxide. The date by which the new limits are to be met is 31st December 1998. By that date, CEZ will have been operating no power unit failing to meet the new emission limits.

Within the framework of implementation of the desulphurization process, a method of fly-ash management more friendly to the environment has been introduced in all power stations. Earlier, the ash was pumped to be dumped in the sludge pools. The new technology will allow the ash to be collected dry and used for example in the landscaping projects in disused surface coal pits.

In the limestone desulphurization by-product, the so-called power industrial gypsum is produced which is a valuable recycled material. Thanks to its high purity, guaranteed by the parameters of the desulphurization equipment, the material is suitable for applications in the building industry. Since 1994, the Pocerady Power Station (a joint-venture with Knauff Pocerady) has been producing gypsum plaster boards using the power industrial gypsum produced by the desulphurization units. A similar company, this time in co-operation with Rigips, is being built near the Melnik Power Station.

Over the recent years, CEZ have studied extensively the potential of generating electricity from wind power, by solar power or by firing biological materials. The first wind power station of CEZ of rated power 315 kW was launched into operation testing in November 1993 in Krusne Hory (in Dlouha Louka near Osek). At this demonstration power station, tests and measurements were carried out throughout 1997, including the verification of the effect of turbulence for the power output, studying the effect of ice and atmospheric charges for the station operation, the environmental effects of the power station for its surroundings, optimization of the station operation and other like tests.

In 1997, an wind power stations farm was operated on Mravenecnik in the Jesenik mountains (near the Dlouhe Strane Pumped-Storage Hydro Power Station) which includes three wind units of respective power ratings 220, 315 and 630 kW).

The neighborhood of the Dukovany Nuclear Power Station is maintained under systematic radiation control. The emissions of rare gases (such as ¹³³Xe and ¹³⁵Xe), radio-iodine ( ¹³¹I), activation and fission products in the aerosol form and the aerosol form of Strontium ( ⁸⁹Sr and ⁹⁰Sr) are monitored. The findings of the monitoring program have indicated that the radioactivity in the vent stacks is deep below the limits.

The discharged water is subject to like control. In the control tanks and the discharge pipe, the volume activities of the activation and fission products - gamma radiation sources, Strontium ( ⁸⁹ Sr, ⁹⁰ Sr), tritium are assayed and the overall alpha and beta activities are measured. All the data obtained have been found to be tens of per cent below the permitted limits.

The summary information about nuclear safety of Czech nuclear facilities is contained in the detailed report on State Office for Nuclear Safety page, which was successfully discussed with IAEA.

 

Coal Power Plant Energy By-Products

The ash coming from combustion processes taking place in CEZ's coal power plants is suitable, in particular, for utilization in landscaping after an extensive coal excavation, in recultivation, and structural layers of roads and other ground surface communications. Ash components (ash and slag) are utilized in construction material production, e.g. cement, concrete and mortar mixtures, and wall building materials. Processed ash is utilized as both structural and filling material of waste deposits, as equivalent substitution for natural clays. Power plant gypsum originating in combustion gas desulphuring is, having being processed, demanded raw material for production of cement, plaster and related products, as well as an equivalent substitution for natural raw materials.

A dry-state deliveries of energy by-products and their components provide for direct use of such products at customers, and utilization of specific properties of such products for, in addition, recultivation of sludge sediment basins, as well as for shaping of landscape contours, in accordance with requirements applicable within a particular location. Additionally, the dry-state delivery technology includes central mixing plants for a mixture preparation according to various recipes, adapted for purposes of mixture utilization.

Changes in energy by-product management are reflected into registration systems maintained according to the Waste Act and enable the CEZ, a.s. to reduce the quantity of waste to be disposed of, and deposit the waste instead, for a fee or a contractual price.

In 2000, nearly 28 % more of energy by-products from CEZ coal power plants was utilized, in comparison with the year 1993. By the year 1999, e.g., 50 mil. m² of gypsum plasterboards was produced from CEZ combustion gas desulphurization gypsum, in the Czech Republic.

 

Monitoring and assessment of environmental impacts

The CEZ, a.s., according to the Czech Republic environmental law, is required to monitor, whether and to what extent it pollutes the environment, how it utilizes natural resources, and to know possible environmental consequences of its operations. Additionally, the CEZ, a.s. is required to provide information concerning its environmental effects.

The CEZ, a. s. activities focused on environmental protection include a registration of atmosphere pollutions (emmissions), in monitoring stations. Such monitoring stations are located in the field, enabling, on a basis of measurement results, to assess objectively impacts of CEZ's coal power plants operation on atmosphere pollution level, i.e. area emission burden. Measuring stations are equipped with modern instruments, particularly for automated measurements of dust, sulphur oxid, and nitrogen oxid emissions. Measured values are received, in addition, in Emission Information System of Atmosphere Quality (ISKO) of the Czech Republic.

According to the Czech Republic law concerning environmental impact assessment, the CEZ, a. s. submits to relevant state administration environmental authorities, for their assessment, specific documentation concerning an independent evaluation of environmental impacts of each considered construction project, operation and technology, including their changes and changes in utilization, subjected to such an assessment.. The CEZ, a. s. activities, subjected to such an assessment, are open to comments and suggestions from the side of municipalities and the public.

 

The CEZ, a. s. Environmental Protection Policy

Within the CEZ, a. s., we ensure activities related to electricity and heat production in accordance with the company mission. The mission statement includes a commitment for both electricity and heat production in a safe and environmentally conscious manner. We reduce power and heat plant environmental impacts due to expert managerial methods implemented, with an emphasis on responsible behavior. In the process of electricity and heat production, we are guided by the applicable legislation, knowledge and experience in the facility operation, managerial capabilities, and the commitment of company employees. The CEZ, a.s. environmental responsibilities are documented in the valid certificate of environmental protection management with a Netherlands accreditation and in this Environmental Protection Policy:

1. The environmental protection belongs to the priorities of our company and becomes integrated into its management.
2. A respect for legal regulations of the Czech Republic concerning the environment, a peaceful utilization of nuclear energy and ionizing radiation and standard parameters, determined according to such regulations or employing international commitments of the Czech Republic in the area of environmental protection, we consider self-granted and our permanent commitment.
3. The environmental protection within the company is based on prevention and a creation of system conditions for both safe and reliable operation.
4. We identify and evaluate environmental impacts and the evaluation results we apply in business operations and for providing information to state administration authorities, local authorities, and the public.
5. Within the process of a technological measures preparation, we focus on the best, economically acceptable, technologies, which are safe and respect the environment.
6. We promote consumers' awareness of economical electricity and power consumption and provide them with expert advice, in order to reduce negative environmental effects.
7. In our environmental attitudes, we respect conditions under which particular company power plants operate and respond to objective criticism and suggestions from stakeholders.
8. We shall endeavor to improve the environmental protection, particularly in the field of raw material, material, and energy utilization, as well as in the area of atmosphere emission control and an application of developed by-products, especially of ash and power plant gypsum, in other industrial sectors.
9. In the course of company employees education and training, we shall further improve their awareness and knowledge necessary for the environmental protection.
10. In supplier selection proceedings, we shall gradually pay even more attention to their environmental attitudes.
11. In order to reach the policy objectives, we shall identify specific targets, target values, and environmental protection programs, including resources required for their implementation.

We shall periodically assess fulfillment of the environmental protection policy and use the assessment results for a policy updating and search for other improvements.