5th World Conference of Science Journalists

 Coal: fuel of the future [88:12m]: Download

PRODUCER: Michelle Riedlinger

CHAIR: Bernie Hobbs,

SPEAKERS: Peter Cook, Doug Holden, Ian Lowe, Wang Yu

SESSION REPORT: Leading edge technologies maximize coal efficiency

By Jia Hepeng

More efficient use of coal, using new technologies, provides cheaper energy and reduces carbon dioxide emissions, according to the panel discussion at this session.

Peter Cook, head of CO2 Cooperative Research Centre of Australia predicts that the world’s use of coal will continue to grow, to 10.5 billion tons in 2030, despite its dwindling share in the world energy market.

He said, “The future of coal depends on costs, capacity, cleaner technologies and the availability of new energy sources.”

Increased coal consumption is thought to be a major contributor to increased carbon dioxide — global warming. As Australia faces increasing pressure, internationally and domestically, to cut carbon emissions, the call to reduce coal consumption and production has been growing.

However, Cook notes, studies show that a 50 percent increase in coal burning efficiency delivers up to three percent reduction of carbon emission per unit of coal consumption. With more new technologies, which dramatically increase coal efficiency, coal can “continue to be a reliable, securable, sustainable and clean energy.”

Australia’s heavy reliance on coal is shared by other countries, particularly China.
Wang Yu, a Chinese energy journalist from Beijing-based China Daily, revealed that in 2006, China produced 2 billion tons of coal, with two thirds of this used for electricity generation. In the near future, it is unlikely to reduce the world’s economic powerhouse’s reliance on coal.

While welcoming researches on cleaner coal, Ian Lowe, president of the Australian Conservation Foundation, complained that too many resources have been given to the sector, while research and development funding for sustainable energy is too small.

Lowe refutes the saying that Australians rely on coal for their jobs, saying the renewable clean technologies, such as growing plant for biofuels, are more labour intensive and hence the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energies will not result in lost jobs.