Burying a problem

As North American power generators prepare for a carbon-constrained world, new coal plants are being built with the option of installing carbon capture and storage technology. And the economics could be about to improve, finds Catherine Lacoursiere

Across the US this summer, states are in an intense bidding war to become the home of FutureGen - the next generation, zero emissions coal gasification plant. The 275 megawatt integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) plant will produce cleaner burning synthetic fuels (synfuels), as well as capture the hydrogen and carbon it generates in the process. Coal abundant regions across the globe are putting their money on advanced coal gasification technology to generate cleaner power and comply