Integrating synergistic effects of air pollution control technologies: More cost-effective approach in the coal-fired sector in China

A strategy of controlling individual pollutants without considering synergistic effects and ancillary benefit/cost has been followed in the course of air pollution control in China. This policy orientation could lead to divided and costly technology pathways. In this paper, the coal-fired power sector is used as a representative case to investigate the technology schemes and assess their cost effectiveness, so as to provide empirical evidence of technology synergies' impacts on cost-effectiveness and to shed light on the future directions for pollution control strategies. The results indicate that more pollution damage caused by particulate matter and mercury, could be avoided at less cost if the proposed technology schemes can be used more instead of the current mainstream scheme in this sector at the beginning of air pollution regulation. It implies that more detailed evaluation of technology schemes is needed to better control multiple pollutants and alleviate various negative health endpoint effects. The transformation of strategy will rely on a combination of technological developments and policy changes. The lessons learned from coal-fired power sector can contribute to policy-making across sectors within the industry.