Solid Fuels

In this field, technical improvements in terms of thermal efficiency play a vital role in fostering market penetration of new systems. In the solid fuel sector much attention has been paid to the so-called "clean coal technologies". This is due to a recognition of the continuing importance of this fuel, especially in developing countries, but cou­pled with the need to improve the environmental and thermal perfor­mance of the combustion process.

Fig. 9.

Plainfield Coal-fired Power Plant

Most large scale conventional power plants have net thermal effi-j ciencies in the order of 38% for hard coal and 35% for brown coal. New systems are being developed which are aimed at increasing this,

Unit 9. Fossil Fuels

over the medium-term, to at least 50%. This will result in a reduction of 0.21 kg of C0₂per kWh generated per hard coal, and 0.34 kg/kWh generated for brown coal. In the EU countries alone, this equates to a C0₂ reduction of 180 million tons per year; in line with targets set in the context of the climate change debate. This increased efficiency leads to lower fuel costs per unit of output, thought to equate to a reduction of some 2.5 EU/MWh in generating costs. For a 1 Gwe plant operat­ing for 7,000 hours a year, this means a theoretical annual cost cutting potential of about ECU 18 million for consumers.

Oil and Gas

The key priorities in this sector are to improve the efficiency of explo­ration and production of hydrocarbons and to reduce the environmental impact of the same. Some of the most important new technologies that have contributed to the objectives are related to: new drilling and com­pletion techniques, new seismic methods such as multi-component and multi-dimension seismic, offshore production structures and facilities. New techniques for deep water storage; and new technologies for natu­ral gas exploration and production. Demonstration and market deploy­ment of such technology will allow not only a better exploitation of Eu­ropean indigenous resources but also an increased competitiveness of European service and supply companies.

Gate 2020 - Gas Advanced Technology for Europe 2020

This project will assess existing and emerging technologies for the supply and utilization of natural gas in Europe. A research and de­velopment strategy will be identified which, if implemented, could ac­celerate the trend of increasing use of natural gas. Increased use of gas would result in reductions in emissions of C0₂; this project will assess the possible benefits of such a scenario to the economy, the environment and industry. The technology areas that will be studied include: gas pro­duction and processing, gas transportation, LNG (liquefied natural gas), vehicles powered by natural gas, gas liquids and underground storage. Dissemination of the results of the research will encourage cooperation among European companies and organizations to develop natural gas technologies and take part in industrial initiatives, s*

68 Section I. Power Engineering

Unit 9. Fossil Fuels

69