In 2009, the International Energy Agency presented a reference scenario showing how the demand for fuels will develop until 2030. According to this, the energy requirements between 2007 and 2030 will increase worldwide by 40 per cent, whereby the combustion of coal in absolute figures will increase the most in comparison with other fuels. In view of this, increasing the efficiency and climate friendliness of coal-fired power plants through research takes on particular importance in order to achieve the worldwide climate protection goals.
Projects currently being funded
Materials of construction for steam temperatures of over 700 °C
Lignite drying
CO2 scrubbing (post-combustion capture)
CO2 storage facilities
CO2 capture in oxyfuel coal-fired power plants
Hydrogen gas turbines
Capturing CO2 using coal gasification
Micro gas turbines
Higher temperatures in turbines
Turbine combustion that produces lower amounts of harmful substances
Higher pressure and lower flow losses in turbines
CO2 compressors
International cooperation
Comparison of power plant systems
More efficient generators thanks to nanoparticles
Storing electricity using compressed air
High-temperature heat storage systems for flexible CCGT power plants
More flexibility for low-emission coal-fired power plants