A Synergistic Planning Framework for Low-Carbon Power Systems: Integrating Coal-Fired Power Plant Retrofitting with a Carbon and Green Certificate Market Coupling Mechanism

Zifan Tang, Yue Yin (), Chao Chen, Changle Liu, Zhuoxun Li and Benyao Shi
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Zifan Tang: School of Electrical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
Yue Yin: School of Electrical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
Chao Chen: School of Electrical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
Changle Liu: School of Electrical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
Zhuoxun Li: School of Electrical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
Benyao Shi: School of Electrical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 9, 1-24

Abstract: The intensifying impacts of climate change induced by carbon emissions necessitate the implementation of urgent mitigation strategies. Given that the power sector is a major contributor to global carbon emissions, strategic decarbonization planning in this sector is of paramount importance. This study proposes a synergistic planning framework for low-carbon power systems that integrates coal-fired power plants (CFPPs) and a carbon and green certificate market coupling mechanism, thereby facilitating a “security–economic–low-carbon” tri-objective transition in power systems. The proposed framework facilitates dynamic decision-making regarding the retrofitting of CFPPs, investments in renewable energy resources, and energy storage systems. By evaluating three distinct CFPP retrofitting pathways, the framework enhances economic efficiency and reduces carbon emissions, achieving reductions of 28.67% in total system costs and 2.96% in CO 2 emissions. Implementing the carbon–green certificate market coupling mechanism further unlocks the market value of green certificates, thereby providing economic incentives for clean energy projects and increasing flexibility in the allocation of carbon emission quotas for enterprises. Relative to cases that consider only carbon trading or only green certificate markets, the coupled mechanism reduces the total cost by 10.96% and 15.56%, and decreases carbon emissions by 27.10% and 47.36%, respectively. The collaborative planning framework introduced in this study enhances economic performance, increases renewable energy penetration, and reduces carbon emissions, thus facilitating the low-carbon transition of power systems.

Keywords: carbon emission trading; carbon–green certificate market coupling mechanism; coal-fired power plant retrofitting; green certificate trading; low-carbon power systems; power system planning (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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