[Significance

]

Under the “Dual Carbon” strategic goals of peaking carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality before 2060

advancing the low-carbon transition of coal-fired power generation is critical to safeguarding national energy security and addressing global climate change. As renewable energy develops rapidly

coal-fired power still acts as the mainstay and stabilizer of the power system due to its reliable power supply and flexible regulation capacity. To systematically sort out the low-carbon technical routes of coalfired power units

identify core technical bottlenecks and future development orientations

this paper reviews three mainstream low-carbon technical pathways for coal-fired power: biomass co-firing

hydrogen/ammonia co-firing

and carbon capture

utilization and storage(CCUS). It c

ombs the technical principles

engineering demonstration projects and practical application status of each pathway

makes a comprehensive comparison from the dimensions of technical maturity

carbon emission reduction potential

economic efficiency and resource dependence

and evaluates their development status

application potential and existing challenges

so as to provide theoretical and practical references for the low-carbon transformation of the coal-fired power industry. [Analysis

]

Biomass cofiring is a mature technology with low retrofitting cost and remarkable short-term carbon reduction effect

but its large-scale application is obviously restricted by the instability of biomass fuel supply

seasonal and regional resource characteristics

and high supply chain costs. Hydrogen/ammonia co-firing has achieved rapid technological progress and important breakthroughs in large-scale unit engineering demonstrations; ammonia fuel has better storage and transportation safety and infrastructure compatibility

showing more prominent application advantages in the medium and short term

and the co-firing scenario of industrial by-product hydrogen has favorable economic efficiency. CCUS is the core foundational technology to realize deep decarbonization of coal-fired power

with ultrahigh emission reduction capacity of over 90%

and mainstream post-combustion capture technology has a solid engineering foundation

but it faces problems such as high initial investment

large energy consumption in operation

and strict requirements for CO

2

source-sink matching. All three technical pathways are confronted with common challenges including imperfect policy and standard systems and insufficient industrial chain collaboration. [Prospect

]

The low-carbon transition of coal-fired power should adhere to the parallel development of multiple technologies and advance according to local conditions. In the future

it is necessary to strengthen the research and development of key core technologies

improve the supporting po

licy and standard system

enhance the collaboration of the whole industrial chain

and actively explore the integrated application model of co-firing technology coupled with CCUS

so as to support the safe

orderly and scientific low-carbon transformation of coalfired power and boost the realization of China's “Dual Carbon” goals.