Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) is formed by the combustion of sulfurous fuels like coal and oil in particular. We aim at reducing SO₂ emissions. Therefore as part of E.ON Central Europe’s coal-fired generation operations, flue-gas scrubbing binds a large proportion of SO₂ with calcium carbonate to form gypsum. We are continually reducing our SO₂ emissions in the United States as part of the Acid Deposition Control Program. E.ON U.S. generates nearly all of its electricity at coal-fired power plants. Its success in reducing SO₂ emissions is mainly due to increased use of desulphurization equipment. Under the SO₂ emission trading system, prevented emissions can be transferred to other generating units, resulting in reductions over the years.

 

E.ON Group’s SO₂ emissions fell by around three percent between 2005 and 2007, to 235.6 kilotons. Mainly due to switching to low-sulfur coal at E.ON UK’s Ironbridge, Ratcliffe and Kingsnorth power stations and the full-year deployment of improved flue-gas desulphurization equipment at our market unit Central Europe.

Nitrogen oxides (NO_x), which are formed at high temperatures by the reaction of nitrogen and oxygen, can be significantly reduced by catalytic converters in denitration equipment. NO_x contributes to the formation of ground-level ozone, which in high concentrations can be harmful to the respiratory system.
 
In 2007, E.ON Group was able to reduce NO_x emissions to 143.5 kilotons despite a rise in energy generation. This fall is primarily due to the launch of a catalytic converter at the Maasvlakte power plant (E.ON Benelux) as well as improvements made to other plants.

Dust is created above all by the combustion of coal, and it is our aim to keep dust emissions as low as possible. Between 2005 and 2007 we reduced our dust emissions by around seven percent to 7.7 kilotons. The reduction at E.ON Energie is due to corrections at several coal-fired power stations, particularly to the introduction of new measuring methods resulting from regulatory changes.