An emphasis on crucial technology to help reduce CO2 emissions

At the World Coal Aassociation (WCA) workshop “Building Pathways for Cleaner Coal Technologies”, stakeholders from around the world joined to discuss energy challenges and how cleaner coal technologies can help reduce these. Following this, the WCA has urged governments across the world to acknowledge the key role cleaner coal technologies have in helping reduce CO₂ emissions. It has also appealed governments to increase investment in all low emission technologies.

Glencore’s Mick Buffier, the WCA’s Chairman stated: “For many countries, the reality is that the only way they can meet their growing energy needs is through affordable, readily available coal. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global electricity from coal is expected to grow by around 33% to 2040. Given this growth, it is essential that there is greater investment in cleaner coal technologies to widen their deployment – this includes high efficiency, low emissions (HELE) coal technologies and carbon capture, use and storage (CCUS).”

In his keynote presentation at the WCA workshop, Mike Monea, SaskPower President of Carbon Capture and Storage Initiatives, provided an update on the Boundary Dam CCS project. Launched in October 2014, the project is the world’s first coal-fired CCS plant and a proven technology, which reduces CO₂ emissions by 1 million tpy. “We need a mix of sources to meet the ever-growing demand for power, and in a way that balances affordability, reliability and sustainability,” said Monea. ?Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is part of that mix. SaskPower is a pioneer in this technology, and we benefit from working with groups around the world to stay on top of new CCS developments.”

Speakers at the workshop also highlighted the role of HELE technologies, which are now available. Hans-Wilhelm Schiffer, Executive Chair, World Energy Resources Programme of the World Energy Council and Consultant and Advisor to the Executive Board of RWE AG, stated: “There are very real opportunities for improved efficiencies at fossil-fuelled power plants, CCUS and the implementation of flexibility requirements for conventional power plants in order to integrate the increased feed-in of fluctuating renewable energy sources. The use of coal and the increased share of renewables is not a contradiction; electricity from coal can be key to balancing intermittent renewables”.

Mr Buffier concluded: “The WCA recognises the vital role that all low emission technologies can play and has created a global Platform for Accelerating Coal Efficiency (PACE). PACE’s vision is for the most efficient power plant technology possible to be deployed when coal plants are built. PACE’s objective is to raise the global average efficiency of coal-fired power plants and so minimise CO₂ emissions, while maintaining legitimate economic development and poverty alleviation efforts.”

Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/coal/02062015/an-emphasis-on-crucial-technology-to-help-reduce-c02-emissions-2350/