Recently, the 72-hour safe test run of two newly installed gas boilers at Qingdao Gaoko Heating Co., Ltd. marked a successful collaboration between the Laoshan Ecological Environment Bureau and the District Urban Management Bureau. Their on-site support ensured the smooth operation of the new gas boilers and achieved the expected results. In recent years, Laoshan District has actively promoted the "coal-to-gas" project within its jurisdiction, providing full-process support for the implementation of corporate projects, promoting high-quality economic development through high-level ecological environmental protection. To date, all four centralized heating companies in Laoshan District have been included in the "coal-to-gas" project. Six new gas boilers have been built, seven coal-fired boilers have been decommissioned, and six coal-fired boilers have been shut down. It is expected that by the new heating season in 2023, sulfur dioxide emissions in Laoshan District will be reduced by about 157 tons, nitrogen oxide emissions by about 221 tons, and carbon dioxide emissions by about 590,000 tons. The reduction in air pollutants will free up total emission quotas to support key projects, creating greater space for the district's business environment and economic development.

“During the demolition of the original coal-fired boilers, because of the proximity to residential areas, complaints from residents about construction noise became a major obstacle to the project's progress. The project was stalled, and if not resolved quickly, it would have affected the construction and commissioning of the new gas boilers before the new heating season and the normal heating of nearby residents,” said Pan Ruoguang, environmental protection manager at the Maidao Heating Station of Qingdao Energy Thermal Power Group's Third Heating Company. After the Laoshan Ecological Environment Bureau learned of our difficulties, they dispatched law enforcement officers to conduct a comprehensive on-site inspection, analyze the noise sources, and help us make technical modifications and noise reduction at the source. After that, the factory's construction noise was significantly reduced, and the project was successfully completed. "After our station implemented the 'coal-to-gas' project, according to the latest noise monitoring data in April, the noise in sensitive areas has been reduced by about 10 decibels, effectively solving the problem of noise pollution from the original factory area and achieving 'zero complaints,' effectively improving the people's sense of gain and happiness."

“Dongyi Thermal Power Plant once caused citizen complaints due to low exhaust emissions during the non-heating season,” said Zhang Qibao, captain of the second team of the Laoshan Ecological Environment Bureau. The bureau's leading officials personally visited the community to communicate with residents, helping the company to start and complete the construction of a decentralized gas boiler. The gas boiler is used during the non-heating season, achieving a "win-win" effect of reducing pollution and carbon emissions, reducing energy consumption, and avoiding noise pollution.

According to the reporter's understanding, Laoshan District is planning and constructing according to the concept of green, circular, and low-carbon development, actively promoting low-carbon development. After the implementation of the "coal-to-gas" project, it is expected that by the new heating season in 2023, Laoshan District will be able to replace about 373,300 tons of standard coal consumption. At the same time, due to the use of more reliable waste heat recovery technology, the thermal efficiency of gas boilers is 15% higher than that of coal-fired boilers, the comprehensive energy resource utilization efficiency is significantly improved, and the total energy consumption is significantly reduced. Smoke and dust emissions will be reduced by about 36 tons, ash emissions by about 77,000 tons, and the number of heavy trucks transporting coal ash will be reduced by about 14,000, greatly reducing the resulting heavy vehicle exhaust pollution, traffic congestion, road damage, roadside spillage, dust, and other problems, and air quality will be significantly improved.

Through the "coal-to-gas" project, enterprises have not only achieved automated production but also brought direct economic benefits in terms of technology. The "coal-to-gas" project has reduced a large number of coal yards, coal conveying corridors, desulfurization towers, and cooling towers. The three companies, Qingdao Gaoko Heating Co., Ltd., Qingdao Energy Thermal Power Group's Third Heating Co., Ltd., and Qingdao Dongyi Thermal Power Plant, can save about 8 million yuan annually in maintenance costs for coal-fired boiler pollution control facilities. Because the gas boiler system is simple and highly automated, without coal feeding, ash removal, dust removal, desulfurization, and denitrification processes, the number of required operating personnel is greatly reduced, and existing personnel can be transferred and reused, reducing overall human resource costs. Gas boilers have higher safety and efficiency, greatly reducing environmental safety hazards for enterprises. "The reduction in fly ash and coal ash has also greatly improved the working environment for employees of various enterprises. Through the 'coal-to-gas' project, many enterprises have achieved transformation and upgrading and embarked on the path of green, low-carbon transformation and high-quality development." said Zhang Qibao.

A blue sky, green land, and clear water ecological environment is also the best business environment. Next, Laoshan District will closely combine key tasks of ecological environmental protection, fully utilize the guiding, promoting, and supporting role of the ecological environment in high-quality economic development, deepen the optimization of the business environment, and promote high-quality economic development through high-level ecological environmental protection.