BLACK COAL – A

SUSTAINABLE FUEL?

Dr John Wright, Chief of Division

CSIRO Energy Technology
Coal - A Sustainable Fuel?

Economics

Improved
Technology

Environmental Social
The Sustainable Energy Pathway

Improvement Development Greater Use

of Existing of Enhanced of Energy
Processes Processes Renewables Sustainability

Improved
Changing
Energy
Fuel Mix
Storage
14000

12000

10000 CO2 Equivalent (kt)

8000 Open Cut

6000 Underground

4000

2000

Energy Fugitive Waste Coal Total

Consumption Emissions Oxidation
Coal Mining GHG emissions
Coal Utilisation - Gasification
Coal Utilisation - Gasification
 Zero Emission Coal Utilisation
Solar Residential
Solar PV/Thermal
Thermal FC Elect
Microturbine Heat Enhancement

Carbon Commercial
containing Solar PV/Thermal
FC Elect
fuels H2
Microturbine Heat Enhancement
De-carbonisation
Coal, CH4
Base Load

GTCC

CO2 to
Vehicle
storage
Refuelling
Zero Emission Coal Utilisation
 Sequestration of CO2

pipeline
raw gas
CO2 sea bed
disposal
disposal reservoir well
(Utsira Formation) CO2
production wells
natural gas reservoir - Metjane + CO2
CO2
CO2 Byproduct
Oil Injection CH4 CO2
CO2
Land based pipe Moving ship Vertical pipe CO2 Injection
Production Production Injection
Injection

Sequestration in
Unmineable Coal Seam

1500m Sequestration in Oil/Gas Producing Reservoir

Sequestration in
Depleted Oil or Gas Reservoir
Pool of
Liquid CO2
Sequestration in Deep Saline Aquifer
3000m
 Coal’s Future
• Move away from a “we vs them” attitude
• Coal industry customers need to be open about
environmental problems - but put in plan for
minimisation of impacts

• Emphasis will be on whole of life planning, not just

short term effects
• Coal will play a key role in a progressively
“decarbonised” society
• There is a bright future for coal, but we have to
maximise innovation to keep pace with society’s
expectations