While some countries look to reduce their reliance on coal, the energy source remains critical for much of the world. With this in mind, we speak to Clean Coal Technologies about its Pristine-M technology, which would improve the efficiency of coal-burning power plants, and help balance the environmental footprint of coal, while ensuring energy security around the world.
The future of coal is, in many ways, contradictory. While countries such as the UK and Germany look to replace a reliance on coal with renewable power and clean energy sources, other nations are doubling down on their dependence on the energy source. Coal accounts for 14% of China’s energy mix, for instance, and in its Coal 2018 report, the International Energy Agency (IEA) noted that coal would be required to meet 23% of the world’s energy needs by 2023.
IEA director Keisuke Sadamori explained this phenomenon with a “two worlds” philosophy, where countries with established coal-burning infrastructure, such as the UK, are able to look beyond coal and consider alternative energy sources, as they have benefitted from centuries of productivity and prosperity as a result of burning coal. However, countries that have not yet completed an industrial revolution, or are still in the midst of an energy transition, remain reliant on coal, and so attempts to phase out coal across the world could ultimately harm a significant number of people, despite the environmental arguments in favour of replacing the energy source.
Global sustainable energy producer EDL has announced a 20-year contract to build, own and operate a waste coal mine gas (WCMG) power station for Centennial Coal’s Mandalong Mine, located in the Lake Macquarie area of New South Wales.
When completed in late 2020, the power station will have installed capacity of 8MW and convert waste gas extracted during mining operations into electricity to power the mine.
EDL Chief Executive Officer James Harman said the company was pleased to welcome Centennial Coal aboard as a new customer.
“For decades, EDL has supported our customers in the mining industry to achieve greenhouse gas abatement and cost savings with our waste coal mine gas power stations,” he said. “We are delighted to provide Centennial Coal with this reliable, sustainable energy solution and look forward to a long, collaborative partnership.”
Centennial Deputy Chief Executive Officer Peter Parry welcomed the partnership.
“As well as fuelling nearly 40% of NSW’s coal fired electricity, Centennial is also a significant energy consumer to power our mines. EDL, by converting the methane gas we extract during the process of mining to generate electricity to meet our energy needs, provides a practical and cost-effective arrangement that also reduces our emissions,” he said.
