Cleaner, More Efficient Coal-based Technologies Drive New Growth Opportunities in Power Generation

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The relatively high efficiencies and production rates of renewable energy sources are highlighting the need to make coal-based technologies clean and more effective. Coal-based power production accounts for approximately 41% of global electrical energy produced, and will continue to dominate the market for the next two decades. Government funding and private participation are already bringing promising coal-based power generation technologies to the forefront.

“Efficient oxygen carriers and combined cycle plant techniques are propelling the power generation market forward,” said TechVision Research Analyst Guhan Sriram R V. “Within the next five years, the development of efficient materials for chemical looping combustion (CLC), along with improvements in reliability of integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) plants and carbon sequestration efficiencies, can be expected.” 

Power Generation Technologies of the Future, analysis from Frost & Sullivan’s TechVision Energy & Utility subscription, offers continuous tracking and monitoring of both technology and product developments. The study also covers advancements, market and technology trends and predictions that will result in the creation of new markets, products and services, business models and even new industries within the energy and utility sector. 

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Beyond 2020, CLC will begin to take over as - similar to CO2-based powergeneration technologies – it is approaching the commercialisation phase. Coal fired magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) is another promising technology; although it is still in the early stages of development. 

“For now, IGCC will dominate clean power production,” noted Sriram. “The technologies that IGCC are based on, like gasification and steam turbine based power production, are quite well established and any development in these technologies can be easily incorporated to IGCC to improve its performance.” 

These solutions hold the potential to drive adoption by improving combustion rates significantly, reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and increasing efficiencies through better carbon capture opportunities. 

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