Executive Summary

This business plan outlines the construction of a 100 MWh clean coal power plant integrated with an algae pond facility and greenhouses. The project is designed to capture and utilize CO₂ emissions to cultivate algae for biofuels, biochar, and food products while using 25% of the captured CO₂ to enrich greenhouses for vegetable production. The electricity generated will be sold at $0.17/kWh or $0.25/kWh, depending on the market. Additional revenue will come from biochar, vegetables, algae-derived food products, and carbon credits.

This innovative project contributes to clean energy, carbon sequestration, and sustainable agriculture, achieving an attractive ROI of 38.5% (at $0.17/kWh) to 59.5% (at $0.25/kWh). It aligns with Zambia’s National Green Growth Strategy (GGS), which promotes development pathways for a low-carbon, resource-efficient, resilient, and socially inclusive economy by 2030. Additionally, the project supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
• SDG 13: Climate Action.
• SDG 15: Life on Land.

Project Overview

Goals and Objectives

• Generate 100 MWh of clean electricityusing advanced carbon capture technology.
• Capture 90% of CO₂ emissionsand utilize them for algae cultivation and greenhouse production.
• Develop sustainable products: bio-oil, syngas, biochar, and vegetables.
• Diversify revenue through electricity sales, carbon credits, and agricultural outputs.
• Promote environmental sustainability, job creation, and food security.
• Align with Zambia’s National Green Growth Strategy (GGS) and SDGs.

Location

• Industrial or rural areawith access to coal, water, and grid connectivity.
• Approximate land requirement: 100 acres.

Key Features

1. Clean Coal Power Plant
   • Capacity: 100 MWh.
   • Technology: Advanced combustion with 90% carbon capture.
   • Purpose: Generate reliable base-load electricity for Zambia’s growing energy needs.
2. Algae Cultivation Facility
   • Area: 50 acres of raceway ponds.
   • CO₂ Utilization: 75% of captured CO₂.
   • Output: 200 tons/day of algae biomass.
     • 90% Biomass: Pyrolyzed into bio-oil, syngas, and biochar.
     • 10% Biomass: Used for food and animal feed production.

3. Greenhouses
   • Area: 20 acres.
   • CO₂ Utilization: 25% of captured CO₂.
   • Output: 3,650 tons/year of high-value vegetables (e.g., tomatoes, cucumbers, leafy greens).
4. Pyrolysis Plant
   • Processes algae biomass into:
     • Bio-oil: 50% of biomass (~100 tons/day).
     • Syngas: 30% of biomass (~60 tons/day).
     • Biochar: 20% of biomass (~40 tons/day).

5. Power Generation
   • Additional electricity from:
     • Bio-oil turbines: Generate 30 MWh/day.
     • Syngas turbines: Generate 10 MWh/day.
     • ORC systems: Generate 5 MWh/day from waste heat recovery.

Technical Specifications and Processes

Clean Coal Power Plant

• Technology: Advanced combustion with 90% CO₂ capture.
• Purpose: Provide reliable base-load electricity with minimal emissions.
• Carbon Capture: Captured CO₂ is repurposed for algae cultivation and greenhouse operations.

Algae Pond System

• Area: ~50 acres of raceway ponds.
• CO₂ Utilization: 75% of captured CO₂.
• Output: ~200 tons of algae biomass daily, supporting biofuel production and food security.

Pyrolysis Process

• Input: 180 tons/day of algae biomass.
• Outputs:
  • Bio-oil: 50% of biomass (~100 tons/day).
  • Syngas: 30% of biomass (~60 tons/day).
  • Biochar: 20% of biomass (~40 tons/day).

Greenhouses

• Area: ~20 acres.
• CO₂ Utilization: 25% of captured CO₂.
• Outputs: ~3,650 tons/year of vegetables for local markets.

Power Generation Units

• Primary Source: 100 MWh from the clean coal plant.
• Supplementary Sources:
  • Bio-oil turbines: Generate 30 MWh/day.
  • Syngas turbines: Generate 10 MWh/day.
  • ORC units: Generate 5 MWh/day using waste heat recovery.

Environmental Benefits

1. CO₂ Sequestration:
   • Prevents the release of 500,000 tons of CO₂ annually.
   • Biochar provides long-term carbon storage while improving soil health.
2. Sustainable Outputs:
   • Algae absorbs 30-50 times more CO₂ than terrestrial plants.
   • Contributes to a circular economy by transforming CO₂ into valuable products.
3. Food Security:
   • Provides 3,650 tons/year of vegetablesand 7,300 tons/year of algae-based food products, addressing local food shortages.

Economic Impact

Job Creation

• Construction Phase: ~2,000 direct jobs and ~4,000 indirect jobs.
• Operational Phase: ~1,000 permanent jobs, including roles in power plant operations, algae farming, and greenhouse management.

Economic Growth

• Boosts local economies through procurement of construction materials and services.
• Generates significant tax revenues and reduces reliance on food imports.

Financial Plan

Capital Investment

Revenue Streams

Operational Costs

Net Profit

• Electricity at $0.17/kWh: $168M – $38M = $130M.
• Electricity at $0.25/kWh: $239M – $38M = $201M.

Implementation Timeline

1. Planning (6 Months):
   • Feasibility studies, permitting, and funding procurement.
2. Construction (18 Months):
   • Build power plant, algae ponds, pyrolysis plant, and greenhouses.
3. Commissioning (6 Months):
   • System integration, testing, and operational launch.

Conclusion

This 100 MWh clean coal power plant integrated with CO₂ algae ponds and greenhouses is a transformative project aligned with Zambia’s National Green Growth Strategy and the United Nations SDGs. It offers a scalable solution for clean energy, carbon sequestration, sustainable agriculture, and economic growth, setting a benchmark for Zambia’s transition to a low-carbon and resource-efficient future.