Clean Coal Technology (CCT)
Clean Coal Technologies—the
products of research and development conducted over the past 20 years—have
resulted in more than 20 new, lower-cost, more efficient and environmentally
compatible technologies for electric utilities, steel mills, cement plants and
other industries.
| Source: U.S. DOE,
Office of Fossil Energy |
Clean coal technologies helped
make it possible for U.S. utilities to meet more stringent Clean Air Act
requirements while continuing to utilize America’s most plentiful domestic
energy resource—coal.
The original Clean Coal
Technology Program, which began in 1986, focused on commercializing processes
that helped reduce sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions and
demonstrating more efficient and environmentally friendly alternatives to
traditional pulverized coal boilers.
New programs in clean coal
technology—such as the Clean Coal Power Initiative (CCPI)—are
essential for building on the progress of the original Clean Coal Technology
Program, finding solutions for reducing trace emissions of mercury; reducing or
eliminating carbon dioxide emissions; and increasing fuel efficiencies. Over
the longer term, research in clean coal technology will be directed toward
developing coal-based hydrogen fuels. If coupled with sequestration, this will
allow greater use of coal with zero emissions. The U.S. Department of Energy
has announced a Presidential initiative to build "FutureGen," a $1 billion
project that will lead to the world's first emission-free plant to produce
electricity and hydrogen from coal while capturing greenhouse gases.
Clean Coal Technology is
Important, Now and in the Future
Electricity demand will increase
53.4 percent over the next 25 years. Meeting this rising growth rate will
require the construction of the equivalent of more than 1,200 new power plants
of 300 megawatts each—the equivalent of about 65 plants each year.
Coal will remain the largest single source of electricity—accounting for
51 percent of power generation in 2025. Clean coal technologies will help meet
these needs, plus continue the decline in SO2 and NOx emissions already
underway.
| Source: Table 8,
Annual Energy Outlook 2003 |
The recently announced FutureGen
project takes clean coal technology even further. FutureGen, a plant to produce
hydrogen from coal and sequester emissions, will be the world’s first zero
emission coal-fired plant.
Learn more
about Clean Coal Technology
The
Clean Coal Technology Compendium
Contains data generated by the Clean Coal Technology Program and related clean
coal information.
U.S.
Department of Energy's Clean Coal Technology Site
Features information on President Bush's Clean Coal Technology Initiative.
Clean Coal Technology Projects
Complete list of Department of
Energy supported clean coal projects.
National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners' Clean Coal Technology Site
Features information about NARUC's role to encourage dialogue between
regulators, legislators, utility experts, and other critical energy
stakeholders to ensure the responsible deployment of clean coal technology.
Future
Gen - Pollution Free Power Plant of the Future
Presidential initiative to build
"FutureGen," a $1 billion project that will lead to the world's first
emission-free plant to produce electricity and hydrogen from coal while
capturing greenhouse gases.
CARE
Statement on New Clean Coal Technology Projects
Statement by the Coalition for Affordable and Reliable Energy (CARE) supporting
President Bush's Clean Coal Power Initiative.
Clean Coal Technology Foundation of Texas
The Foundation researches opportunities for clean coal technology applications in Texas for all
forms of coal and lignite, by identifying and networking with key organizations and parties, by
developing reports, and by providing information to stakeholders and state and federal agencies.
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