Dive Summary:
- Coal gasification technology turns coal into synthetic natural gas, which has never been done on a vast commercial scale, until now.
- Duke Energy will soon launch its 618 megawatt coal gasification plant in Indiana and says it is a cleaner way to burn coal. The U.S. Department of Energy is providing FutureGen with $1.1 billion for its 200MW coal gasification project in Illinois.
- If natural gas prices rise due to industrial demand, then utilities might need to diversify and use coal gasification which produces 60% pure energy, compared to coal’s 35%. Coal gasification is expensive however, with the costs likely defrayed to ratepayers.
From the article:
"Could Duke's venture become a harbinger of things to come? Because of the utility's access to Indiana coal, it fits with Duke's goals, says Middleton, who adds that this plant is expected to become the company’s most efficient means of generating electricity…
Emerging coal generation technology can turn coal to gas. But will this technology rescue coal?"
