Power Generation Technologies for Low‐Rank Coals

Abstract

AbstractWorld electricity production is expected to double over the next twenty‐five years [1]. Dependence on fossil fuels for electricity production will continue to dominate through this period and well into the future. Currently, coal is the fuel for about 30% of total installed power generation capacity and the coal share of the electricity market is expected to remain essentially steady over the next 25 years (Figure 1). Nevertheless, the amount of coal consumed for power generation will increase substantially (Table 1) [1]. It is expected that world coal‐fired power production will grow at an average rate of 3% per annum. The forecast demand growth for power generation will require an investment of the order of US$3 trillion with about US$1 trillion in coal‐fired power generation. The increase in demand is attributed to growth in world population by 50 percent over the next 25 years [2] and by heavy demand growth in the Asia Pacific‐rim nations.In Australia, coal is the principal fuel for power generation providing 82 percent of electricity production. Two thirds of the electricity generated from coal in Australia relies on high‐rank coals (bituminous coals) and one‐third on low‐rank coals (brown coals and lignite).While the rate of growth of renewable energy and biomass technologies is expected to be substantial in the next few decades, it is apparent that these technologies will provide only a relatively small proportion of Australia's total energy needs. Coal will remain the principal fuel for electricity generation, in Australia and worldwide, for many decades to come.In order to minimise the impact of coal fired power generation on the environment there is a need to develop and install advanced cycle power generation systems when it is economically viable to do so.