Coal's great comeback?

Dec 13 2007 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal

MILLIONS of tonnes of coal beneath the North-East could once again power the UK if the Government backed new technology, according to council leaders.

Energy experts are looking at new ways of using the region’s coal reserves to power the nation.

Proposals involve capturing the CO2 gas produced in normal fuel burning. Almost three-quarters of the region’s coal stock remains undisturbed underground, and scientists believe it can be used without spurring climate change.

Gateshead Council leader Mick Henry has asked his chief executive to write to Environment Minister Phil Woolas questioning why he was not offering more support for new technologies which could free the “500 million tonnes of coal lying dormant beneath the North-East”. In his role as chair of the Association of North-East Councils Coun Henry has also written to the Government demanding to know why it is not offering more support for the technology.

Last night he said: “The profile of new coal technology has been raised massively, thanks to the work of Professor Paul Younger at Newcastle University, but we don’t intend to rest on our laurels. We believe firmly that although renewable energy is a vital long-term aim, in the short term we need alternatives, like clean coal technology.

“The North-East has shaken off its once dirty image and now is the time to do the same for coal, the very substance that gave the area its prosperity. Our region has the opportunity to be at the forefront of this exciting technology and that’s why we are taking our calls for further consideration of clean coal technology to the highest possible level.

“The North-East already boasts a cluster of companies uniquely placed to take forward this kind of technology. These projects are on track to become what should be the first regional carbon capture and storage ‘grid’ anywhere in the world.”

The “clean coal” process makes the fuel a viable option because it cuts the environmental impact by piping CO2 into undersea chambers. This month, the Government snubbed Teesside engineers when it picked their Edinburgh rivals to pilot a £2.3m carbon capture trial.

Newcastle University energy experts said carbon capture was just one way to use North-East coal reserves to power the nation once again.

Professor of Energy and Environment Paul Younger has previously urged the Government to look at “exciting technologies” which would mean coal could be used without having to reopen pits. New drilling techniques mean coal could be turned into gas below ground, then forced up to be sent to power stations.

Or the coal could be “cleaned” in power stations, producing a mainly hydrogen-based gas instead of the CO2-rich mix now released.

British Gas owner Centrica plans to make Teesside the region’s leading carbon capture hub, if the Government backs the research. Centrica spokesman Andrew Hanson said: “We can do this – it just needs the right people to back it.”

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How the idea could work

THE emerging technology which could see North- East coal powering the country focuses on storing the greenhouse gases released when the fuel is burned.

Engineers in Teesside are working to turn the Newcastle University research into reality, by piping carbon dioxide into rocks under the North Sea.

This can either be in old oil wells or into porous rocks up to a kilometre underground.

There are two main options.

First, coal can be chemically converted underground, producing methane gas that is forced out using modern drilling techniques.

Or it can be dug out and modified in a process known as gasification.

During this process carbon dioxide and hydrogen are formed, with the hydrogen being burned for energy and the rest piped underground.

Neither option necessarily involves a large mining workforce, although opening up some mines is not being ruled out.