The paper begins by making the following points: The environmental risks of global warming emphasise the necessity for 'clean coal' and there is immense global potential for innovative clean coal technologies; coal can change from "pariah to paragon of virtue" due to its underestimated versatility, and; during the transition to the 'solar age' an energy gap will have to be filled by leveraging all possible means.
The author continues by saying that versatile coal will be key in the interim: "Coal will have good prospects if efforts to engineer its transformation into a clean energy source with a neutral impact on the climate are successful. Abundant deposits and the favourable global distribution will enable a relatively secure energy supply in Germany and the world, particularly when oil and later also natural gas have become scarce and thus expensive," the author says.
He concludes that: "The transition period in which coal may be the only answer could be limited, though. But this would require fast progress on renewable energies as well as on hydrogen research. Breakthroughs of back-stop technologies such as nuclear fusion need much more time. Until then, transformed, more environmentally friendly use of coal will be of the essence."
Subscribe
Subscribe to IEMA's newsletters to receive timely articles, expert opinions, event announcements, and much more, directly in your inbox.
Posted on 12th March 2007
Latest Posts
-
IEMA focus on skills, adaptation and nature-based solutions in CCC report
- 18th July 2024 -
Labour's plan for economic growth must mean green growth – but there is a green skills gap looming
- 5th July 2024 -
As Labour plans to “slash red tape” for economic growth, YouGov poll finds 3 in 5 people want to increase public involvement in planning system
- 28th June 2024 -
Medtronic agrees partnership with IEMA to accelerate skills and standards in sustainability
- 21st June 2024 -
Landmark climate impact ruling for fossil fuel projects, cites IEMA guidance
- 20th June 2024 -
IEMA sets out 18 policy asks for the next Government
- 3rd June 2024