AUSTRALIA–INDONESIA JOINT SYMPOSIUM IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Jakarta, 13-17 September 2006
The role of fossil fuels in the future energy mix
Dr Lila Gurba, Research Manager, Cooperative Research Centre for Coal in Sustainable Development (CCSD), Queensland Centre for Advanced Technologies, Pullenvale, Queensland
This presentation will review the main challenges facing coal industry in Australia and worldwide and discuss opportunities to improve coal environmental performance through the development and implementation of Clean Coal Technologies. In particular the convergence of energy (thermal efficiency, CO2 emission) and water management issues in the electricity sector will be presented. The potential for synergies with renewable energy technologies will also be explored. Australian R&D initiatives and opportunities for collaborative research between Indonesia and Australia will be discussed.
Challenges
As society moves towards adopting sustainable development principles, the use of fossil fuels is being increasingly questioned. Concern over the potential effect of CO2 emissions from fossil fuel power plants on global climate is a key issue for the future of power generation worldwide. International pressure to limit greenhouse gas emissions is one of the most pressing challenges facing fossil fuels.
Demand for energy
The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates, fossil fuels presently supply about 80 per cent of the world's total primary energy sources and produce over 60 per cent of the World's electricity. Coal is one of the cheapest fuel options for power generation today. All major global projections suggest that fossil fuels will remain a key for power generation and that global coal demand is expected to double by 2030. The greatest challenge to coal's future expanded use is the ability to achieve with the world's environmental requirements.
Australian context
Australia has a very substantial coal resource, with significant reserves of both black and brown coal. Black coal currently provides 60 per cent of Australia's electricity. Australia derives significant economic benefit from the competiveness and reliability of its coal-based electricity supply sector. Australia is the world's largest coal exporter making coal vital to the national economy. Australia's large coal resources are low in sulphur and trace elements and are exploited using the best practise in mining.
Future energy options for Australia
Additional generating capacity will be required to meet expected demand. The assessment of the most prospective electricity generation technology options that are available for Australia to 2050 has shown that no single technological solution exists, and an integrated approach needs to be undertaken in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The best combination for Australia will not necessarily be the same as for other regions, given differences in coal properties, coal intensity and coal export. An increase in renewable energy technologies and fossil fuelled power generation efficiency is required, along with significant developments in, and CO2 capture and storage technologies. The majority of CO2 emissions in Australia arise from the combustion of fossil fuels. Improving coal environmental performance through deployment of clean coal technologies is highly desirable to the Australian coal industry.
R&D supporting clean coal technologies in Australia
Innovative new energy technologies are taking research into new directions. Clean coal technologies such as gasification, oxy-fuel combustion and CO2 capture and storage place new demands on understanding the performance of coal in processes that are unique and different from conventional utilisation technologies. CCSD's research program provides assessments of coal performance as a fuel in various technologies (both current and advanced) and the data necessary to evaluate the large range of scenarios utilising coal, either alone or in combination with renewable energy. The results of the various studies will be discussed in the context of sustainable development and greenhouse gas mitigation strategies for Australian coal fired power stations.
Dr Lila Gurba, a Research Manager for the Cooperative Research Centre for Coal in Sustainable Development (CCSD) holds a High Distinction Master's degree from the University of Mining and Metallurgy, Cracov, Poland and a PhD degree from the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
She has over 20 years experience in coal research with special reference to clean coal technologies, coalbed methane geology, coal utilisation and advanced coal characterization; Linkage of different branches of coal research through innovative use of electron microprobe in coal studies (including Indonesian coals). Published over 70 refereed journal articles, conference papers and scientific reports.
Since 2002 she coordinates CCSD Research Programs, which is Australia's largest multi-disciplinary research program into greenhouse gas mitigation initiatives from fossil fuel use.
Her special interest is in sustainable energy and greenhouse gas emission initiatives [Participating in the Governmental review of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage]; water (as related to energy) and waste (from energy).
Member of the Australian Research Management Society (ARMS); Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG); Standards Australia (SA); the Society of Organic Petrology (TSOP) and the International Committee for Coal and Organic Petrology (ICCP).
