September 2015

University of Newcastle wins $290,000 for low emissions coal research

A University of Newcastle research team will continue their exploration of world-leading low emissions coal technologies with a $290,000 grant.

The research addresses one of the three carbon capture and storage technologies in development world-wide, and has the ability to reduce carbon emissions from an operating power station by up to 90%.

"Over 65% of global electricity production is derived from fossil fuels, with demand expected to rise. Low emissions coal technologies are a critical step towards a sustainable energy future," said Emeritus Professor Terry Wall.

Funded by the Australian Low Emission Coal R&D (ANLECR&D) agency, the project addresses Oxyfuel, which is fossil fuel burnt in the presence of pure oxygen. Led by Emeritus Professor Terry Wall from the Coal Combustion Group, Discipline of Chemical Engineering, this work supports ongoing research to refine the technology for industry-wide deployment.

"The technology will be tested at the Callide Power Station in Queensland, which is the first complete Oxyfuel facility in the world and a leading example of how carbon capture technology can be applied to an existing coal-fired power station to produce low emissions electricity generation," said Emeritus Professor Wall.

"As recent reports by the International Energy Agency Network highlight, supporting research into carbon capture technologies such as Oxyfuel may help Australia meet long-term emissions reduction targets with the least cost to the economy," he said.

The University of Newcastle research team pioneered the feasibility of Oxyfuel technology in 2003 in response to growing needs from the sector for sustainable energy technologies.