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This paper deals with the state and perspectives of bioenergy development in the context of exploiting the potential of available natural resources. We analyse the economic benefits of transitioning to alternative biofuel within the research task in cooperation with the Vojany black coal power plant. Within the applied methodology, a non-parametric data envelopment analysis method was used to confirm the most economically efficient types of fuels used in the combustion process. The assumption of fuel efficiency was confirmed by testing fuel combustion combinations directly in the power plant. The transition to 100% combustion of solid recovered fuel creates the potential for sustainable production of the analysed power plant and compliance with the current emission values of basic pollutants and new stricter limits, which will be binding in the EU from August 2021. The proposed solutions were analysed by Monte Carlo simulation. An estimate of the economic results achieved by the power plant was simulated, assuming a complete transition to solid recovered fuel. The results of the study support the feasibility of creating a circular waste management market, with the Vojany black coal power plant as the largest user of solid recovered fuel in Slovakia and abroad. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fossil fuels as black coal, crude oil and natural gas are at present still the main sources of energy production. Thermal energy is the second most important source in Slovakia (after electricity), representing almost 13.6% of total energy production. One Slovak power plant, Vojany Power Plant (EVO), sees an undesirable by-product of coal combustion as ash, which is deposited on the tailing ponds and a stabilizer deposited on a landfill. The aim of our paper is to formulate conclusions from laboratory testing and testing field results of combinations of stabilizer as a by-product, waste from combustion, and from EVO desulphurization technology in combustion processes. The reinforcement of the stabilizers with cement and lime was realised for forming the sealing respectively water-permeable layer. The reason for testing was the use of stabilizer for tailing pond reclamation as a component of the underlying impermeable part. This can attain an environmental as well as economical solution for the use of stabilizer and waste from thermal power plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]