The Global Climate and Energy Project (GCEP) sponsored a two-day workshop to explore technically viable options for making coal a more sustainable energy resource and to consider the technical breakthroughs required to implement these technologies.

In countries where the coal resource is plentiful, traditional coal-fired power plants are a significant source of electricity generation. Recent economic and population growth has placed increasing demands, both nationally and internationally, on electricity generation from coal, which could increase the harmful impact on the environment from the release of particulates, air pollutants, and greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, this workshop focused on advanced coal conversion technologies with increased efficiency and lower greenhouse gas emissions. The technical presentations addressed coal conversion and transformations processes, and the topics included gasification, liquefaction, oxyfuel combustion, and co-firing with biomass.

International coal energy experts shared their knowledge and experience on the technical issues that limit current efficiencies and on potential innovative strategies to overcome them. The workshop also informed GCEP and the coal research community about an area in which GCEP may consider sponsoring research during the next year. The workshop was hosted by Brigham Young University and was held near the campus at the Marriott Provo Hotel.