Recently, two major international reports on coal-fired power generation have sparked widespread interest. One is the World Bank's decision to stop funding coal-fired power projects unless there are exceptional circumstances. The other is former U.S. President Obama’s proposed climate policy, which aims to shut down one-third of the country’s coal-fired power plants. These developments have raised important questions about the future of coal in global energy systems.
In response, Zhou Dadi, vice chairman of the China Energy Research Association and head of the Energy Economy Committee, emphasized that coal-fired power remains a critical part of China’s energy mix and will continue to play a significant role for many years. While countries around the world are increasingly imposing carbon emission limits on coal plants, the situation varies widely, and it’s not feasible to apply a one-size-fits-all approach.
The transition to a cleaner energy structure is a long-term process. In the U.S., the power sector accounts for roughly 40% of greenhouse gas emissions. Obama aimed to cut carbon emissions by 17% from 2005 levels by 2020. He also proposed restricting federal support for overseas coal projects unless they are in the poorest nations or use clean technologies like carbon capture and storage (CCS). However, Zhou Dadi noted that these proposals remain aspirational and must go through legal processes before becoming reality.
Experts point out that the U.S. has a relatively low demand for electricity and can shift to natural gas as an alternative to coal. But for China, replacing approximately 800 million kilowatts of coal capacity would take time. A recent International Energy Agency report highlighted that developed countries, including the U.S., provide significantly less subsidies for renewable energy than developing nations. In fact, between June 2011 and June 2012, the World Bank provided over $8.2 billion in financing for its 188 member states, with $3.6 billion directed toward renewable energy projects.
Despite the push for renewables, coal-fired power still holds considerable potential. Ultra-supercritical coal units can achieve efficiency rates of 40-43%, but in practice, this often drops below 40% due to operational conditions. Even high-efficiency units may perform worse under certain circumstances.
Wang Jiuling, deputy general manager of China Southern Power Grid, stressed that clean utilization of fossil fuels is a key challenge for the future of energy and power. “We’ve invested heavily in renewable energy, but if we could channel some of that effort into improving waste management from thermal plants and nuclear facilities, global energy efficiency could rise significantly, bringing greater economic benefits,†he said.
China has already adopted ultra-supercritical technology in its coal plants, placing it at the forefront globally. However, Zhou Dadi believes there is still room for improvement. Advancements in materials, boiler design, and other technologies are needed. Some challenges remain unresolved, and while high-efficiency coal technologies could bring better economic returns, they are not yet at their most cost-effective stage.
“Some clean technologies, like IGCC, are currently expensive. That’s a fact, but it doesn’t mean they’ll always be costly. Over time, costs will likely decrease,†Zhou added. This suggests that while the path to cleaner coal is challenging, it’s not impossible—and the journey is just beginning.â€
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