Path Forward for U.S. Coal Power Generation Detailed in CURC/EPRI Coal Technology Roadmap Update
31 July 2015 - 06:06AM
Business Wire
Coal-based generation is a key component of a diverse
electricity generation portfolio for the United States and provides
significant economic and energy security benefits, but faces some
challenging environmental requirements. Coal has addressed similar
challenges in the past through public/private sector partnerships
to develop and deploy affordable technologies that dramatically
reduce emissions. Once again, these collaborative partnerships are
needed to ensure the nation continues to reap the benefits of this
abundant, low-cost domestic resource.
That’s the message in a report released today, which updates the
2012 CURC-EPRI Roadmap. The CURC-EPRI Advanced Coal Technology
Roadmap, jointly prepared by the Coal Utilization Research Council
(CURC) and Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), focuses on the
technologies needed to improve the environmental performance of
coal use and to support continued delivery of low-cost electricity,
energy and other valuable coal-derived products.
The updated Roadmap provides a detailed pathway to deliver
first-of-a-kind, low-carbon coal technology options by 2025-2035,
and details the RD&D for technologies that will enhance the
value of both existing and future coal plants in the U.S.
generation fleet. Major RD&D priorities include improving
existing plant performance, as well as developing carbon capture
and storage technologies; highly efficient advanced
ultrasupercritical coal plants; coal gasification technologies; and
transformational technologies that can achieve step changes in
efficiency, reduced levels of emissions, and cost.
The 2015 Roadmap was developed in response to several new market
conditions that required a re-examination of the technology
development needs for both new and existing coal plants. These
factors include fluctuating changes in the market for coal use in
the U.S. today; the impact of recently proposed regulations to
limit emissions of greenhouse gases from fossil-fueled power
plants; the availability and growth of low-cost, domestic supplies
of natural gas being used in both new and existing power
generation; increasing levels of renewable electricity generation;
and an electricity power market that is experiencing and projecting
low or no load growth over the next decade.
Mark McCullough, Executive Vice President of Generation at
American Electric Power and Co-Chair of CURC, stated, “I’m pleased
that the updated Roadmap establishes a pathway to accelerated
development of transformational technologies so that we will have
candidate coal replacement options available when we must consider
fleet retirements. The next 10 to 15 years will be crucial as we
plan for our country’s future energy needs, and it’s essential that
we have the next generation of low-carbon coal options available to
be part of our future energy portfolio.”
“The reality of the world today is that coal provides 30% of the
world’s primary energy needs and will soon surpass oil as the
world’s dominant fuel source,” said Deck Slone, Senior Vice
President of Strategy and Public Policy at Arch Coal, Inc. and
Co-Chair of CURC. “The new CURC-EPRI Roadmap is an invaluable tool
for policymakers, illustrating how the global need for reliable and
affordable energy can be harmonized with aspirations for a cleaner
and more climate-compatible future. Advanced coal technologies are
an essential mitigation tool for stabilizing greenhouse gas
concentrations in the atmosphere, and the CURC-EPRI Roadmap lays
out a clear and achievable path for the development of such
technologies.”
“A diverse portfolio of generation options is a key component of
the evolving, low-carbon modern power system,” said Michael W.
Howard, President and Chief Executive Officer of EPRI. “Research,
development and deployment of technologies that enhance the value
and environmental viability of existing and future coal plants is
an important part of EPRI’s work in supporting that diverse
portfolio. The updated Roadmap addresses those RD&D needs
extending to 2035, helping to provide the industry, stakeholders
and public a clear line of sight on the path forward.”
Earlier Roadmaps were jointly prepared by CURC and EPRI in 2003,
2008 and 2012. The 2015 Roadmap Update was released today after the
Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee completed work on
comprehensive energy legislation, the “Energy Policy Modernization
Act of 2015”, which, thanks to efforts led by Senators Manchin
(D-WV), Portman (R-OH), Heitkamp (D-ND) and Capito (R-WV), includes
a program reflecting the technology direction and funding
recommendations identified in the updated CURC-EPRI Roadmap. This
new Roadmap can be viewed here.
The Coal Utilization Research Council (CURC) is an industry
advocacy group organized to promote the research, development,
demonstration and deployment of technology that will enable the
long term use of our nation’s abundant coal supplies in a
cost-effective and environmentally acceptable manner. CURC’s
members include electric utilities, mining companies, universities,
research organizations, trade associations, state mineral resources
agencies, and manufacturers of generation equipment. Learn more at
www.coal.org.
The Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. (EPRI) conducts
research and development relating to the generation, delivery and
use of electricity for the benefit of the public. As an
independent, nonprofit organization, EPRI brings together its
scientists and engineers as well as experts from academia and
industry to help address challenges in electricity, including
reliability, efficiency, health, safety and the environment. EPRI's
members represent more than 90 percent of the electricity generated
and delivered in the United States, and international participation
extends to 40 countries. EPRI’s principal offices and laboratories
are located in Palo Alto, Calif.; Charlotte, N.C.; Knoxville,
Tenn.; and Lenox, Mass. Learn more at www.epri.com.
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CURCShannon Angielski, 202-298-1850sma@vnf.comorEPRIJeff Brehm,
704-595-2521jbrehm@epri.com