Planning of production resources use and environmental effects on the example of a thermal power plant

The article attempts to demonstrate the influence of resources used in electric energy production on effects achieved in environmental protection. The analysis uses the generalized least squares method which allows for estimation of econometric model demonstrating environmental effects in a thermal power plant. Environmental effects are reflected by the levels of main air pollutants: carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and dusts, quantity of generated waste, quantity of sewage and water used. The main energy production raw material is coal which is characterized by specific parameters such as: calorific power, i.e. combustion temperature and calorific value, ash content, sulphur content and other trace elements. The analysis is based on data from one of the Polish power plants located in Silesian Voivodeship. Environmental threats are becoming one of the major concerns in industry today. Power industry belongs among branches whose environmental impact is particularly negative. The main source of pollution in Polish and European power plants is hard coal and lignite, both of which are used as fuel. Proper prevention or dealing with environmental threats is the key element of a power plant management system. We analyse the influence of use of hard coal on the level of environmental effects. The analysis presents multi-equation models describing the relationship between parameters of hard coal and given environmental effects. (C) 2015 Published by Elsevier Ltd.