Coal-fired plants of the future

At least 20 IGCC plants have been proposed in the US and that figure could continue to grow as the technology advances and as state and federal governments establish measures aimed at curbing CO2 emissions, writes Anne Feltus

US COAL mines, the most prolific in the world, produced a record 1.16bn tonnes last year. Coal fuels more than 600 power plants, generating over half the country's electricity. However, when burned, coal emits hazardous pollutants, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. Integrated-gasification combined-cycle (IGCC) technology provides a more environmentally friendly way of converting coal into electricity. IGCC plants cost more to construct than conventional coal-fired facilities, but both the government and industry have launched initiatives to close the cost gap. The IGCC process is not new. In 1984, Southern California Edison built the world