Cleaner Coal Technologies : a new initiative for Europe

Speaker: Dr Karl A. Theis, Executive Managing Director, VGB PowerTech e.V.

With a share of worldwide 40 % and some 30 % in Europe, coal is one of the most important sources of energy for electricity generation. This is due to its favourable and stable prices and to the large reserves that are distributed all over the world. Increasing energy demand will require modern coal-fired plant techniques with highly efficient fuel utilisation and emission reduction equipment. The following questions should therefore be discussed at European level:   
• Which techniques are currently available to replace those of old coal-fired power plants ? 
• Which research projects aiming at increased efficiency are being pursued in Europe and in the USA ? 
• What kind of additional EU support programmes for R&D are expected by operators and manufacturers in the liberalised competitive market ?