Consider the following Assertion (A) and Reason (R) and choose the correct code:

Assertion (A):

Coal washing results in increased generation efficiency and reduced investment costs. However, the use of washed coal in India is still limited.

Reason (R):

The limited establishment of coal washeries may be attributed to the perception that coal washing by increasing the cost of electricity generation, would adversely impact the plants in terms of 'merit order' scheduling.

Key Points

• Coal washing improves the quality of coal by reducing ash content, which in turn increases the efficiency of power generation plants.
• Using washed coal reduces the investment costs related to power plant equipment and maintenance.
• Despite these benefits, the adoption of coal washing in India is limited due to the perceived increase in electricity generation costs.
• This perception arises because higher costs might affect the competitive positioning of power plants in 'merit order' scheduling, where plants with lower generation costs are prioritized.

Additional Information

• Coal Washing:
  • Coal washing is the process of removing impurities from coal, such as ash and sulfur, to improve its quality and efficiency when burned.
  • Washing coal results in a cleaner fuel with higher calorific value, which leads to more efficient power generation and lower emissions.
• Merit Order:
  • Merit order is a way of ranking available sources of energy, especially electrical generation, based on ascending order of price and sometimes emissions.
  • Plants with lower generation costs are dispatched first, followed by higher-cost plants.
• Coal Washeries:
  • These are facilities that wash coal to remove impurities and improve its quality.
  • In India, the establishment of coal washeries has been limited due to high initial investment and operational costs.
• Electricity Generation Costs:
  • The cost of generating electricity includes fuel costs, operational and maintenance costs, and capital costs of the power plant.
  • Using washed coal can affect these costs, leading to concerns about competitive positioning in the merit order.