Coal News - Australia
News Archive 2008
Archived
headlines with precis for selected news items
relating to coal in an Australian and regional context:
This month's news... click here
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August 2008 >>
Greens are scaremongering: Waratah Coal
The coal company at the centre of a major project in central Queensland has hit back at what it calls "scaremongering" by the Australian Greens. Under the $5.3 billion proposal, Waratah Coal Ltd wants to develop a mine, pipeline, railway and port facility in the Alpha and the Shoalwater Bay areas in Queensland.
The Age, Melbourne - Sunday 31 August 2008
FACTBOX-Australia's carbon footprint
The Australian government is seeking to introduce one of the world's most inclusive carbon trading schemes by 2010 but needs the support of big business, which fears emissions trading will make them less competitive. Energy Minister Martin Ferguson met more than 70 large firms at parliament on Friday to talk over their concerns.
Forbes - NY, USA - Thursday 28 August 2008
Oz port congestion improves
The Simpson, Spence and Young Australian Coal Port Congestion Index has dropped to 7.1 days, the lowest it has been since October 2006. For the first half of 2008 overall, the index registered 13.7 days, which compares with the 22.9 days reported 12 months ago.
Port Strategy - UK - Thursday 28 August 2008
Shell-Anglo Collaboration Says LaTrobe Coal Has Clean Coal Future
There are viable emerging alternative uses for the massive brown coal deposits of Victoria’s LaTrobe Valley which could contribute to a reduction in Australia’s carbon emissions footprint, according to one of Australia’s lead clean coal energy proponents.
OilVoice, UK - Monday 25 Augus 2008
Gippsland Basin hottest spot for carbon storage
The rock structures below the offshore gas and oil production province of the Gippsland Basin offer one of the best carbon sink opportunities in southern Australia according to one of the country’s greenhouse gas storage pioneers.
OilVoice, UK - Monday 25 Augus 2008
Alliance attacks clean coal proposal
The clean coal alliance — the Australian Coal Association, the CFMEU, the Climate Institute and the World Wildlife Fund — says draft legislation gives priority to the oil and gas industries and fails to adequately recognise the importance of storing carbon dioxide underground as a means of combating climate change.
The Age, Melbourne - Saturday 23 August 2008
New tech solutions are imperative for decarbonisation
Among the various fossil fuel sources of energy, a scientific and technology challenge from coal-based power generation is to capture carbon dioxide from the flue gas of power plants and fixing it away from the atmosphere. Early deployment of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology is being considered as a possible way out for mitigating CO2 emissions.
The Financial Express, India - Monday 18 August 2008
UQ-China research to energise future
The University of Queensland will lead a large-scale Australia-China partnership on clean energy technologies, targeting clean coal, hybrid and fuel cell vehicles, hydrogen production and energy storage.
UQ News - Brisbane, Australia - Sunday 17 August 2008
Clean coal gets the green light
The world's first laws to allow companies to capture carbon dioxide emissions from power stations and bury them under the seabed are under consideration in Canberra. Called Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) - or "clean coal" - the technology is held by some to be central to Australia's efforts to tackle climate change. A House of Representatives Committee has endorsed the draft laws...
The Australian - Friday 15 August 2008
China Shenhua secures new Australia coal prospect
Shenhua Energy Co Ltd, the world's most valuable coal producer, has agreed to pay A$300 million ($261 million) for a licence to explore for coal in Australia, a state government said on Friday. China Shenhua will explore an area of about 190 square kilometres (73 square miles) in the coal-mining region of Gunnedah, northern New South Wales...
Reuters - USA - Friday 15 August 2008
How coal came back into fashion
Despite mounting fears about carbon pollution, coal has returned to fashion because rival energy sources such as gas are soaring in price and being depleted faster than expected. Coal reserves are also often located in politically stable countries such as the US, South Africa and Australia. Coal, which has traditionally been a cheap power source, is also prized as a fuel for electricity generation because it does not have the problem of intermittency of supply...
guardian.co.uk - UK - Friday 8 August 2008
Technology can Slash Greenhouse Emissions-Report
Australia has the right technology to achieve deep cuts to greenhouse gas emissions - but "clean coal" technology is a must, a report says. Corporate climate change analysts Climate Risk produced the report, which examines industrial constraints to slashing emissions by 60 to 90 per cent by 2050.
The Epoch Times - New York, USA - Wednesday 6 August 2008
Asciano Wins Rio, Xstrata Contracts to Haul Coal in Queensland
Asciano Ltd., the Australian port and railroad operator....signed contracts with Rio Tinto Group and Xstrata Plc to haul export coal in Queensland state. The contracts are for an initial period of 10-years for volumes of more than 14 million metric tons a year...The deal allows Asciano to expand into Queensland state, the world's largest coking coal shipper.
Bloomberg - USA - Wednesday 6 August 2008
July 2008 >>
Carbon villain captured
The CSIRO has just announced the first Australian capture of carbon dioxide from power station gases. The post combustion carbon capture took place at a pilot plant at Loy Yang Power Station in Victoria. CSIRO Energy Technology chief Dr David Brockway said post carbon capture uses a liquid to capture carbon dioxide. "It can potentially reduce carbon dioxide emissions from existing and future power stations by more than 85 per cent."
Gladstone Observer - Australia - Thursday 31 July 2008
GE Energy to build 'clean coal' plant
Global giant GE Energy says it could build a coal-fired power station in Australia by 2015 that would be the first in the nation to bury its greenhouse gas emissions. GE Energy is garnering support from governments and industry this week to build a commercial-scale Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) power plant that costs about $3 billion.
Sydney Morning Herald - Australia - Wednesday 30 July 2008
Bodies set up to drive clean coal use
Two new bodies have been created to drive the research and use of clean coal technology. The National Low Emissions Coal Council and a Carbon Storage Taskforce would include representatives from government, industry and the research community, Resources and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson said today.
NEWS.com.au - Australia - Monday 28 July 2008
Clean coal the future: Brumby
Victoria stands on the brink of a $15 billion clean coal boom that will drive massive investment and jobs growth, Premier John Brumby has declared. In an interview with The Australian, Mr Brumby sought to quash doubts over clean coal's viability and predicted it would underpin the state's future once emissions trading begins.
The Australian - Sydney, Australia - Monday 28 July 2008
Xstrata, Rio Propose New Plan to Speed Australian Coal Exports
Xstrata Plc, the world's biggest exporter of power-station coal and Rio Tinto Group are among companies proposing to set up a new body to accelerate the rate of exports and clear a backlog of shipments from Australia. The industry is also proposing a new system to allocate export capacity at Newcastle, the world's biggest export harbor for the fuel...
Bloomberg - USA - Sunday 27 July 2008
Rudd assures coal power industry of emissions scheme support
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has moved to assure the coal-fired power generators that they will get help to cope with the changes caused by an emissions trading scheme. The electricity industry says the Federal Government should help major power suppliers make the transition to lower emissions technology. New economic modelling commissioned by the Energy Supply Association suggests a 20 per cent emissions reduction would push up power bills by about 28 per cent.
ABC Online - Australia - Friday 25 July 2008
Altona extends MoU with BP for Australia coal project for another year
Altona Resources Plc, the AIM-listed Australian energy group, said it has extended its memorandum of understanding with BP Plc for the Arckaringa coal-to-liquids (CTL) project for another year to June 2009.
Hemscott - London, UK - Tuesday 22 July 2008
China launches carbon capture facility at thermal plant
China Huaneng Group, the country's largest power producer, put into operation on Wednesday in Beijing a post-combustion carbon capture facility at a thermal power plant that has successfully captured carbon with a purity of 99.99 percent. The pilot project is capable of recovering more than 85 percent of carbon dioxide from flue gases of the power plant and can thus trap 3,000 tons of the gas annually from emissions that would otherwise contribute to global warming..
Xinhua - China - Thursday 17 July 2008
Waratah Coal's $5.3 billion proposal
The Queensland Government has lent its support to a hugely ambitious $5.3 billion proposal to develop a new coal province around Alpha, in the centre of the state, and a 495km railway to link it to a new deep water port on the coast.
Melbourne Herald Sun - Australia - Tuesday 15 July 2008
Captured: first tonne of dirt from clean coal plant
Australia's first "clean coal" plant is finally up and running, with scientists announcing yesterday that the first tonne or so of carbon dioxide was captured and liquified at Loy Yang power station in Victoria. A similar plant at Munmorah on the central coast is yet to show results, although the switch was ceremonially flicked last Friday.
Sydney Morning Herald - Australia - Thursday 10 July 2008
Clean coal facility planned for Collie
The future of clean coal could soon be secured with a new facility based in Collie to enhance the potential of coal as a clean fuel for power generation. Plans are currently underway for Collie to be a base for the soon-to-be-developed WA Centre for Carbon Capture and Sequestration.
Collie Mail - Western Australia - Thursday 10 July 2008
Vic could 'spearhead' low carbon economy
Victoria is well-placed to spearhead Australia's drive towards a low carbon economy, the federal government's chief climate change adviser says. Speaking prior to a public forum to promote his draft report on tackling climate change, Professor Ross Garnaut said Australia and the world were facing major changes and challenges in reducing emissions.
The Age - Melbourne, Australia - Wednesday 9 July 2008
Carbon dioxide burial reaches a milestone
It is technology vital to the Government's hopes of cutting greenhouse emissions from Australia's huge coal-fired power stations: capturing carbon dioxide from the polluting stations and burying it deep underground. Australia's first trial of geosequestration in the Otways reached its first milestone last week — 10,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide was successfully stored two kilometres underground in a depleted natural gas field.
The Age, Melbourne - Australia - Monday 7 July 2008
Energy Association worried about coal
The power industry has warned that Australia needs to look after its coal industry in the face of reduced greenhouse gas emissions targets. The Energy Industry Association says recommendations to cut emissions need to be balanced by the fact that 85 per cent of Australia's electricity is generated by coal. Chief executive Brad Page says developing clean coal technologies is just as important as looking at alternative energy supplies.
ABC Online - Australia - Monday 7 July 2008
Australian economy would be reshaped by carbon trading scheme
Australia's top climate change adviser has recommended the rapid introduction of a carbon emissions trading scheme that will mean a radical reshaping of the country's economy. Ross Garnaut, appointed by the government to design what it hopes will be the world's most extensive emissions regime, said Australia was critically at risk from climate change and urged immediate deep cuts in emissions from the world's top coal exporter.
Financial times, UK - Saturday 5 July 2008
Approval of $750m coal plant defended
The Victorian Government yesterday defended giving final approval to a new coal-fired power station.... Victorian Energy Minister Peter Batchelor said the Latrobe Valley plant - which has received $150 million from the federal and state governments - would be operating in 2012. The Government has billed the Australian-Chinese joint venture as a clean-coal trial plant as it will use new gasification and drying technology to reduce emissions by about 30 per cent on those of conventional brown coal power stations.
The Australian - Sydney, Australia - Thursday 3 July 2008
June 2008 >>
Going nuclear not essential: Rudd
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says Australia does not need to resort to nuclear energy as part of its climate change strategy....Mr Rudd has also maintained that the coal industry must remain part of a long-term solution and that clean coal technologies must be further developed, but he is optimistic about its future. "What the nation needs to set for itself and the world is a goal to bring about the commercial application and scale of clean-coal technologies," he said.
ABC Online - Australia - Friday 27 June 2008
China plant to begin coal-to-liquid production
One of the world's largest coal producers will finish construction this year of the first coal-to-liquid plant built in 40 years -- but the $1.5 billion project isn't located in America -- it's in China. The Shenhua Group will begin producing diesel fuel from coal later this year at the facility, located in Inner Mongolia, about 375 miles west of Beijing.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - USA - Tuesday 24 June 2008
Clean coal pilot project under construction
A pilot project to clean up emissions from one of the country's worst polluters is under construction in NSW. State-owned power corporation, Delta Electricity, is building an ammonia-based system to capture carbon from the Munmorah power station on the central coast. CSIRO are involved in developing these plants in Australia but they're also developing a plant in China near Beijing...
ABC Online - Australia - Wednesday 18 June 2008
Siemens coal gasifiers to Australia
The two gasifiers will be sent to a fertilizer plant in Latrobe Valley in the state of Victoria, where they are to be used to convert lignite to ammonia.
United German-based Siemens Energy will supply coal gasification to Australia. This is the first time the energy giant has announced it will share its developed technology with an Australian project. Australian Energy Co. Ltd has acquired a license for two 500-megawatt coal gasifiers.
United Press International - USA - Tuesday 17 June 2008
No slowing the Chinese dragon
Chinese giant Chalco is keen to make more investments in Australia, potentially involving "a large amount of money". This could potentially include using clean coal technology to produce low-carbon power to support an aluminium smelter.
Melbourne Herald Sun - Australia - Tuesday 17 June 2008
Nelson unveils Vic coal industry vision
The Leader of the Federal Opposition, Brendan Nelson, has released a five point plan today for the future of the coal fired power industry in Victoria's Latrobe Valley. The plan hinges on creating a Clean Energy Target by 2012, a policy recently abandoned by the Labor Government.
ABC Online - Australia - Friday 13 June 2008
Carbon tax clouds coal outlook: ABARE
Australia's coal export industry can look forward to a bright future but overseas carbon tax schemes may cloud the outlook, a conference has heard. The fast-growing economies of China and India were expected to keep demand high, said Rohan Kendall, commodity analyst with the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE).
The Age, Melbourne - Thursday 12 June 2008
Australia's Mineral Export Sales Increase 6% in March Quarter
Australia, the world's biggest exporter of coal and iron ore, said sales of mineral resources rose 6 percent in the March quarter driven by increased exports of iron ore, crude oil and gold. Exports rose to A$27.1 billion ($25.6 billion) in the three months ended March 31, the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics said today in a report on its Web site.
Bloomberg, USA - Wednesday 11 June 2008
Coal stations to be brought on line to ease gas crisis
The State Government will recommission a mothballed coal fired power station to boost energy supplies in the wake of the gas shortage. Collie's Muja A-B station was decommissioned last year. Three of its four units will now be brought back online, the first within six weeks.
ABC Online, Australia - Wednesday 11 June 2008
West Australia Scrambles for Energy After Explosion
Western Australia's government is scrambling to find alternative energy sources for metal producers including BHP Billiton Ltd. and Rio Tinto Group after a blast at an Apache Corp. plant cut natural-gas supplies by 30 percent. Apache said on June 6 that its natural-gas output from Varanus Island may be halted for at least two months.
Bloomberg, USA - Monday 9 June 2008
$45 trillion urged in battling carbon emissions
In one of the strongest warnings so far about the world's thirst for energy, the International Energy Agency said Friday that investment totaling $45 trillion might be needed over the next half-century to prevent energy shortages and greenhouse gas emissions from undermining global economic growth.
International Herald Tribune - France - Friday 6 June 2008
Bad case of the flue to be treated with ammonia
Munmorah power station is to be the guinea pig for a revolutionary clean air project. Delta Electricity and CSIRO are developing a $5 million research pilot plant at the station to capture up to 3000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year. In a few weeks engineers will begin using ammonia to wash emissions from the coal-fired power station to dissolve greenhouse gases and other pollutants, preventing them from entering the atmosphere.
Central Coast Express Advocate - Australia - Friday 6 June 2008
Australia's Trade Deficit Narrows as Exports Surge
Australia's trade deficit narrowed in April to the smallest gap in 14 months as a surge in coal shipments pushed exports to a record, helping boost an economic expansion in its 17th year. The trade shortfall shrank to A$957 million ($916 million) from a revised A$2.55 billion in March, the Bureau of Statistics said in Sydney today.
Bloomberg - USA - Thursday 5 June 2008
Australia to Promote Coal-to-Liquids to Improve Energy Security
Australia will promote development of an industry for the conversion of coal and natural gas into cleaner transport fuels to improve security of supply, the country's resources minister said. The government is working with proponents of the technology on an ''action agenda'' .... ''Converting coal and natural gas to fuels will play a major role in Australia's energy future,'' he said.
Bloomberg - USA - Thursday 5 June 2008
BHP Says Australia Needs to Ease Control Over Ports, Rail
BHP Billiton Ltd., the world's biggest mining company, said Australia needs to ease government control over ports and railroads to attract private investment. ''Concerns have been raised about the lack of investment in Australia's regulated ports,'' Marius Kloppers, chief executive officer of the Melbourne-based company, said... ''Against a backdrop of high demand, Australia's challenge is to maximize investment in infrastructure that enables rapid and efficient expansion of capacity.''
Bloomberg - USA - Thursday 5 June 2008
Coal part of climate solution
Some anti-mining groups have distorted the truth in relation to the United States Government's decision to rethink its funding for the FutureGen project...Contrary to reports earlier this year, the US is not withdrawing support altogether. It has decided to concentrate its funding on the carbon capture and storage component of the project rather than on the power plant technology known as Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC).
Illawara Mercury - Australia - Tuesday 3 Jun 2008
$2bn plan to 'fuel petroleum needs'
A $2 billion coal project will be unveiled today in Victoria's Latrobe Valley as its backer suggests Australia could replace all petroleum imports by turning the nation's vast reserves of brown coal to oil. Victorian Premier John Brumby will launch the Australian Energy Company's project to turn brown coal into enough urea, a nitrogen-rich fertiliser, to supply Australia's needs.
The Australian - Tuesday 3 June 2008
Treasurer to hitch a ride on coal's gravy train
Queensland has become the state most dependent on the minerals boom for its economic health, with the Bligh Government increasing the levy on coal exported from the state at a time when prices are near record highs. While coal royalties this financial year provided just over $1billion to the Queensland Government, today's budget will forecast revenue from minerals will rise to $3.2 billion.
The Australian - Tuesday 3 June 2008
Rio Tinto Says US Must Spend Billions for Clean-Coal Devices
Rio Tinto Group and U.S. utilities are urging the government to spend $20 billion on a technology they say has the best chance for eliminating pollution linked to global warming.
Bloomberg - USA - Monday 2 June 2008
May 2008 >>
GE and Schlumberger join forces on clean coal
Two of the world's largest engineering conglomerates, General Electric (GE) and Schlumberger, have today announced they are to team up to accelerate adoption of integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) and carbon capture technologies capable of curbing emissions from coal-fired power plants.
Business Green - UK - Wednesday 28 May 2008
White Energy completes clean coal plant
White Energy Co. has completed construction of its commercial scale cleaner coal production plant at Cessnock, New South Wales. The plant uses White Energy's licensed binderless coal briquetting technology to upgrade coal, increasing its energy efficiency. The plant has an installed capacity of 90,000 tons per year.
EnergyCurrent - USA - Tuesday 27 May 2008
Seabed plan to capture carbon
Resources Minister Martin Ferguson told The Australian yesterday he would finalise the world's first legislative framework for carbon sequestration within months, clearing the way for greenhouse gases collected from coal-fired power stations to be injected through the seabed and captured in geological formations similar to those in which oil and gas are found.
The Australian - Friday 23 May 2008
Export bottlenecks to ease: ABARE
Despite higher costs and shortages of labour and equipment, rapid growth in Australian resources projects shows little sign of abating, with the number of early-stage projects growing by 30 per cent in the past year. There are also signs that attempts to free up the nation's coal export bottlenecks are on track, according to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics...
The Australian, Business - Thursday 22 May 2008
Aussie carbon market unofficially born
Australia's emissions trading market has been unofficially born - and the all-important carbon price has started at $19 a tonne. The Australian Coal Association welcomed the release of the draft laws saying it would be examining the 400 pages of legislation to ensure transparent, competitive arrangements were in place for access to storage sites.
Sydney Morning Herald - Tuesday 20 May 2008
Clean coal still the key in Latrobe Valley
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its support for clean coal technology projects in the Latrobe Valley. The government allocated $100 million to HRL's Integrated Drying and Gasification Combined Cycle (IDGCC) project and $50 million to International Power Hazelwood's 2030 project, in last week's Federal Budget. The funds are part of a $1.5 billion allocation for energy technologies.
Latrobe Valley Express - Tuesday 20 May 2008
Commodity prices push Aussie towards parity with greenback
The Australian dollar could be within weeks of achieving parity with the US dollar, as surging iron ore and coal prices push it to levels not seen since floating nearly 25 years ago. In the past 12 months, iron ore prices have jumped 70 per cent and coal prices have virtually trebled under raging demand from Chinese steel makers.
The Australian, Business - Tuesday 20 May 2008
Queensland plans Port Alma as 4th coal terminal
The Australian Business reported that Queensland Government has called for private sector interests to provide a fourth port to service the coalfields of central Queensland as existing ports struggle with strong demand... a feasibility had established there would be room for one more coal port, to be situated at Port Alma, south of Rockhampton and just north of Gladstone at the mouth of the Fitzroy River.
Steel Guru - India -Sunday 18 May 2008
Qld coal boom 'to continue' for some time
A mining industry group says a global economic slowdown looks unlikely to put the brakes on the Queensland coal boom. The Australian Coal Preparation Society is meeting in Emerald this week to discuss the future of the coal industry. The society's Eugene Gallagher says there is still strong demand from China and India.
ABC Online - Australia - Thursday 15 May 2008
Port Kembla primed for record-breaker
The relocation of car imports from Sydney, new coalmines and a global resources boom have Port Kembla shaping up to achieve a record year of trade come June 30. NSW Ports and Waterways Minister Joe Tripodi said Port Kembla had increased both imports and exports in the year to March 31, with coal, iron and steel the main commodities.
Illawara Mercury, Australia - 12 May 2008
Australian invention paves the way
An Australian invention has paved the way for lighter, stronger concrete with a smaller greenhouse footprint, by utilising the waste "fly-ash" from coal-fired power stations. Researchers at the University of NSW are running a successful commercial trial of the compressed ash in China.
Sydney Morning Herald, Australia -Thurday 8 May 2008
Huaneng Mulls $15 Billion Australian Power Sale
China Huaneng Group is considering bidding for $15 billion of power assets being sold by Australia's New South Wales state....Huaneng's Australian executives may be allowed to bid provided they can show sufficient returns from the company's five-year-old investment in two generators in the country's northeastern Queensland state...
Bloomberg - USA - Thurday 8 May 2008
Tata Steel to invest in Australian mines
India's Tata Steel and Brazil's Vale will invest $379.41 million in coal mines in Australia, a Tata news release said. The statement said total capital investment is estimated to be around $379.41 million. The commencement of construction is scheduled for May 2008, and commissioning of the new mining equipment is expected by mid-2009.
United Press International - Wednesday 7 May 2008
Extra funding for clean coal
The Rudd Government is believed to have earmarked $275 million for six new clean coal projects in its first budget next week, alongside similar funding for renewable technologies. A clean coal council and a taskforce to develop storage options are expected to form part of its $500 million commitment to clean coal made during last year's election campaign.
The Australian - Monday 5 May 2008
Trade deficit narrows on coal boost
Australia's trade deficit narrowed sharply in March helped to a large degree by a huge rebound in coal exports from Queensland....Coal exports jumped 23 per cent as mining companies in Queensland drained flooded mines and repaired rail links severed by storms earlier in the year.
The export rebound is expected to continue in coming months after commodity prices jumped 10 per cent in April...
The Australian, Business - Monday 5 May 2008
Coal industry claims big savings in carbon capture
The coal industry is claiming that emissions from coal fired power stations will be reduced by 80 to 90 per cent in the next few decades. A storage plant is under construction in Victoria and a number of technologies to capture carbon are being trialed in Australia in the next few years.
ABC Online, Australia - Thursday 1 May 2008
April 2008 >>
Vic budget funds carbon capture research
The Victorian Premier John Brumby says investment in large-scale carbon capture and storage projects in the La Trobe Valley will make the state a world leader in clean coal technology. Next week's State Budget will include $127-million for research projects in the La Trobe Valley to further develop carbon capture and storage technology.
ABC Online, Australia - Wednesday 30 april 2008
NZ Should Encourage Clean Coal Technology
New Zealand will be better encouraging clean coal technology than banning the fuel. The New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development, whose 71 member companies' $44 billion in annual sales equate to more than 34% of the gross domestic product, says focus should go onto encouraging clean coal research and development, not issuing orders to stop it.
Scoop.co.nz - New Zealand - Wednesday 23 April 2008
Combined technology is the future of clean energy
Australia’s most promising options for a clean energy future may lie in hybrid technologies which combine the best features of fossil fuels such as clean coal or gas with renewables like solar and wind. After seven years of piloting the cutting edge of national energy research at the CRC for Coal in Sustainable Development, Frank van Schagen is convinced the answer to the nation’s clean energy challenges lies in encouraging the best mix of technologies.
ScienceAlert - Australia - Wednesday 23 April 2008
Historic Alliance Calls For a National Task Force on Carbon
In an historic alliance, industry, union and environment organisations have called on the Federal Government to establish a National Carbon Capture and Storage Taskforce to combat climate change. The new taskforce, proposed by the Australian Coal Association (ACA), CFMEU, The Climate Institute (CI), and WWF, would be charged with developing and implementing a nationally coordinated plan to oversee rapid demonstration and commercialisation of 10,000 GWh of carbon capture and storage (CCS) electricity per year by 2020.
OilVoice - UK - Tuesday 22 April 2008
Greens split over 'wicked witch' coal
Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner has been scouring the national accounts for months looking for opportunities to make deep cuts in government spending. He will surely be heartened by the advice from the Greens and Greenpeace that Australia's fossil fuel industries, principally coal, are receiving nearly $10billion a year in wasteful government subsidies. Except for one slight problem: the subsidies don't actually exist.
The Australian, Business - Monday 21 April 2008
EU support for carbon capture and storage vital to reduce emissions
If the European Union (EU) was to achieve the ambitious and strict targets of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from developed countries by 30% by 2020, it would need to "continue its support for investigation, and hopefully the ultimate successful use of carbon dioxide (CO2) capture and storage (CCS)...
Creamer Media's Engineering News - Monday 21 April 2008
Coal research recognised
A report has highlighted the achievements of coal researchers into the sustainable development of coal. The Towards Sustainable Energy report was released on Monday, focusing on the achievements of the Cooperative Research Centre for Coal into Sustainable Development (CCSD) over the past seven years. Long before the term ‘clean coal’ had been coined, the CCSD and its predecessor, the Black Coal Cooperative Research Centre, were laying the foundations for a low emissions future.
Collie Mail - Western Australia - Thursday 17 April 2008
Emissions trading needs technology investment
Establishment of an emissions trading scheme without appropriate investment in new technologies will threaten Australia’s economic health. Advanced technology, accompanied by behavioural change, can provide the major solutions needed to achieve a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions but, without this advance in technology, emissions targets and trading will drive investment away...
ScienceAlert - Australia - Tuesday 15 April 2008
Australia funds China clean coal
Australia is now investing $63 million in developing clean-coal technology in China, our biggest coal buyer*, as Kevin Rudd seeks to emphasise the need for developing ways to use the resource and still cut greenhouse gas emissions. The Prime Minister, while declaring that his 17-day world trip was to pursue ways of combating the effects of climate change and pursue a new global agreement after the expiration of the Kyoto Protocol in 2012, dramatically increased his focus on clean-coal technology and on spreading the technology to developing countries.
The Australian, Business - Monday 14 April 2008
* China is not our biggest coal buyer - Japan, which takes around 44% of our coal exports, is. (China takes around 2.4%). Ed.
Our Budget to get a coal-fired boost
China gave Australia a $25 billion present last week. No, it wasn't in grateful thanks to Kevin Rudd for delivering his speech in Beijing in Mandarin. Or for the fact that he didn't go in harder on Tibet. But simple economic reality. That's how much extra we are going to earn on coking coal exports next year. Give or take the odd billion or two either way between friends.
Melbourne Herald Sun - Australia - Sunday 13 April 2008
China's coal export prices to rise in line with Australia
China's coal export prices are set to rise in line with the hikes negotiated by Australian suppliers and their Japanese consumers, the China Securities Journal reported. Citing Huang Qing, secretary to the board of directors with Shenhua, China's biggest coal producer, the report said that Chinese coal companies customarily follow the prices set by Australia, the Asia-Pacific region's biggest exporter.
China Daily - China - Friday 11 April 2008
Wong discusses clean coal with China
Australia and China have a common interest in finding a lower carbon solution for coal, Climate Change Minister Penny Wong says. That means developing a carbon capture and storage mechanism. The two countries have agreed to work together on a post-Kyoto agreement as well as research into clean coal technology.
Ninemsn - Sydney, Australia - Friday 11 April 2008
NSW Govt grants $100m for clean coal research
The New South Wales Government is establishing a $100 million clean coal fund to finance research into carbon-reducing technologies. Premier Morris Iemma says clean coal technology will ensure the continuation of an industry that provides enormous economic benefits to New South Wales.
ABC Online - Australia - Thursday 10 April 2008
Potential for energy co-op between Australia and China
Peter Batchelor, Minister for Energy and Resources in Victoria's Parliament, said on Wednesday that there is great potential for China and Australia to cooperate in clean energy technology... He said both sides should seek more opportunities, in particular for cooperation on the use of brown coal cleaning technology, carbon capture, carbon sequestration technologies, as well as renewable energy.
People's Daily Online - China - Thursday 10 April 2008
Coalition to clear the air on clean coal
A new Australia-US alliance of research, government and industry leaders will tackle the future of clean coal at a conference hosted by The University of Queensland (UQ) this week. Queensland Minister for Mines and Energy, Geoff Wilson, will open Clean Coal Technologies: Queensland and Wyoming - the case for cooperation, at UQ's Customs House on Thursday.
UQ News - Brisbane, Australia - Wednesday 9 april 2008
We can bury carbon dioxide forever
The coal industry's response to climate change is misunderstood. Some people would have you believe coal is best off staying in the ground. Apparently that would pave the way for alternative renewable energies to power an energy-hungry world. No more nasty carbon emissions...
The Australian - Wednesday 9 April 2008
Carbon capture good for Earth
With use of fossil fuels projected to rise, carbon storage offers a way out of the greenhouse...In terms of energy, the United Kingdom and Canada have had a tremendous amount in common for decades. Both are significant hydrocarbon producers and both are advanced energy-dependent economies...
Toronto Star, Canada - Tuesday 8 April 2008
Coal price surge boosts state
An unprecedented surge in coal prices will boost Queensland government coffers, offsetting a high Australian dollar and the loss of millions of tonnes in production through floods. News that North Asian customers are wearing contract price hikes of more than 200 per cent on coking coal have buoyed local producers.
Courier Mail, Brisbane - Tuesday 8 April 2008
Aust clean coal technology for US
An Adelaide-based company has struck a deal to provide clean coal technology to an energy consortium in the United States. GTL Energy Limited has signed a memorandum of understanding for the technology to be used in an electricity plant in North Dakota.
ABC Online - Australia - Monday 7 April 2008
Dutch power ahead with carbon capture
The first Dutch trial to capture carbon dioxide from a power plant's waste gas emissions has been launched in Rotterdam, Europe's largest port. The facility opens as the Netherlands prepares to embark on a series of carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) projects that would see the country become a European hub for the technology.
Chemistry World - London, UK - Friday 4 April 2008
Clean coal key to Vic's energy future: Garnaut
Environmental professor Ross Garnaut says clean coal technology is the key to Victoria's future energy policies. Professor Garnaut was speaking at the Victorian Government's Climate Change Summit at Parliament House.
ABC Online - Australia - Friday 4 April 2008
Australia trials underground carbon storage
Australia on Wednesday began pumping 100,000 tons of carbon dioxide underground in a test of carbon storage... The CO2 is stripped from a natural gas well but the idea is to see if the scheme can be expanded to capture CO2 from coal-fired power stations, whose emissions are blamed in part for global warming.
Reuters UK - Wednesday 2 April 2008
NSW welcomes clean coal technology project
Today’s launch of Australia’s first commercial scale demonstration of CO2 geo-sequestration - the Otway Basin carbon storage project in Victoria - is a clear indication that clean coal is about the future, NSW Minister for Mineral Resources Ian Macdonald said today.
NSW Department of Primary Industry News - Wednesday 2 April 2008
Cleaner coal
Australian and Japanese companies have joined forces to construct what will be Australia’s first demonstration power station using clean coal technology. Construction of the $206m Callide Oxyfuel project at Biloela in Central Queensland will begin early next year with the 30MW power station scheduled to start producing electricity by the end of 2010.
The Engineer - UK - Tuesday 1 April 2008
\March 2008 >>
HTC: Clean coal solution?
HTC Purenergy (HTC/TSX-V) is "an energy technology company" whose business is "the development, aggregation and commercialization of proprietary technologies relating to carbon dioxide (CO2) capture, storage and hydrogen production utilizing CO2." And those technologies have been either acquired, licensed, developed internally or developed in partnership with the University of Regina and The International Test Centre for CO2 Capture.
Financial Post - Toronto, Canada - Friday 28 March 2008
Carbon trading to reap billions
Cutting greenhouse-gas emissions is set to reap a bonanza of up to $20 billion for Commonwealth coffers. In a policy brief out today, the Climate Institute says that, based on economic modelling, an emissions-trading system could yield a dividend of between $7 billion and $20 billion for the nation's revenue in as few as 12 years.
The Canberra Times - Thursday 20 March 2008
Clean coal power station a step closer: Bligh
A clean coal power station planned for central Queensland will be built up to 10 years sooner following changes to the project, Queensland Premier Anna Bligh says.The ZeroGen project near Rockhampton is an advanced feasibility study into the capture and storage of up to 75 per cent of carbon emissions from coal to generate low emission electricity.
Brisbane Times - Australia - Wednesday 19 March 2008
Fast-track for seabed storage of emissions
An ambitious plan to allow millions of tonnes of carbon emissions from coal-fired power stations to be stored under Australia's seabeds will go to federal cabinet within weeks....The federal Energy Minister, Martin Ferguson, said yesterday the plan was vital to making Australia a leading player in clean coal technology.
Sydney Morning Herald - Australia - Wednesday 19 March 2008
Rail upgrade helps coal
A $13.5 million Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) project to bring the Ulan-Muswellbrook rail line into the 21st century is fast approaching completion....The Ulan line upgrade is just part of the overall ARTC major improvement of the Hunter Valley coal network...
Mudgeee Guardian and Gulgong Advertiser - Australia - Wednesday 19 March 2008
Australia to have carbon trading scheme by 2010: minister
Australia will have a carbon emissions trading scheme in place by 2010, under a plan released Monday by the minister for climate change, Penny Wong....the national scheme would "constitute the most significant economic and structural reform undertaken in Australia since the trade liberalisation of the 1980s."
AFP - Sunday 16 March 2008
Carbon storage trial set to go
In April, the Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Technologies (CO2CRC) will begin the country's first commercial-scale, scientifically monitored trial of geosequestration - the storage of large volumes of carbon dioxide in deep underground saline aquifers or sandstone 'reservoirs'.
ScienceAlert - Australia - Thursday 13 March 2008
Coal project to boost SA power supplies
A South Australian coal-to-liquids project is gearing up for production, as the price of oil soars well above US$100 a barrel. Oil and diesel will be produced by the gasification of coal at a site 300 kilometres north-west of Adelaide.
ABC Online - Australia - Wednesday 12 March 2008
Ash a resource, not a waste
It is time Australia stopped treating flyash from coal-fired power generation as a waste - and started to regard it as a valuable resource with many end-uses. That's the view of Professor Colin Ward of the CRC for Coal in Sustainable Development and University of NSW, after years of investigating the make-up of Australia's coal ashes.
ScienceAlert - Australia - Wednesday 12 March 2008
Australia, India to share clean technologies
Australia and India may be bitter rivals on the cricket field, but the two countries are eager to share know-how in clean technologies. The spotlight was on India at the fourth AustralAsian Cleantech Forum, which features 15 pre-screened investment-ready Australian Cleantech companies, raising capital and building global business partnerships to accelerate the deployment of Cleantech products, particularly in the Indian market.
Thaindian.com - Bangkok,Thailand - Tuesday 11 March 2008
Coal miner sees contract prices double
High copper and gold prices are the talk of the mining industry right now, but coal is also getting attention as new contract prices for steelmaking coal are expected to more than double.
Reuters UK, - Tuesday 11 March 2008
All new coal power stations should be carbon-capture ready...
All new coal plant the world over should be built in such a way that they are ready to capture and store carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, which are seen as the main cause of global warming and climate change, says International Energy Agency (IEA) Greenhouse Gas Research Programme GM John Gale.
Creamer Media's Mining Weekly - South Africa - Friday 7 March 2008
FutureGen's 'time-out' disappoints Rio Tinto
The decision by the US Department of Energy (DoE) to restructure - and thereby unavoidably to delay - its FutureGen project has been greeted with regret by global diversified mining major Rio Tinto. FutureGen is - was - a clean coal, including carbon capture and sequestration (CCS), project.
Creamer Media's Mining Weekly - South Africa - Friday 7 March 2008
Australia and China in clean coal research agreement
Australia and China have signed a formal international agreement for clean coal research which could result in a massive reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the coal fired power stations that proliferate throughout both countries.
iTWire - Australia - Thursday 6 March 2008
February 2008 >>
BHP Invited to Help Norilsk Develop Siberian Coal Field
Norilsk Nickel, the world's largest producer of the metal, said that it planned to develop a 5.5-billion-ton Siberian coal field and asked BHP Billion to join the project. "There's a 23-million-ton deficit in coking coal in Europe that currently gets covered by Australian imports...The plan is to sell most of the coal in Russia, but also export to Europe."
The Moscow Times - Russia - Thursday 28 February 2008
Loy Yang Power Signs with EESTech Inc. for Carbon Capture Study
Loy Yang Power, which operates a 2200 MW brown coal fired power station in Victoria's Latrobe Valley, has signed an agreement to undertake a site specific feasibility study into carbon capture using the world's most advanced technology.
FOXBusiness - USA - Wednesday 27 February 2008
Industry looks to gas, coal for transport fuel
A move to develop a national agenda to create a multi-billion-dollar industry producing liquid transport fuels from coal and gas will be launched today by the Rudd Government. Resources Minister Martin Ferguson will use a conference in Brisbane to set the scene for gas and coal offsetting Australia's huge and growing oil import bill.
The Australian - Tuesday 26 February 2008
Coal industry plays down Garnaut report
Australia's coal industry is playing down the 90 percent emissions reduction target suggested by the Federal Government's chief climate change adviser.
Australian Coal Assoc Exec Director Ralph Hillman says geosequestration - or burying carbon dioxide underground - can get rid of up to 85 percent of a power plant's emissions.
Special Broadcasting Service - Australia - Saturday 23 February 2008
China in dearth of coking coal
China, the world's top steel producer, is struggling with a shortage of coking coal after a power crisis in the country prompted Beijing to urge its mines to focus their efforts on raising thermal coal supplies.
Sydney Morning Herald, Australia - Friday 22 February 2008
Collie coal given thumbs up for gasification
International tests have confirmed that Collie coal is one of the most suitable coals for gasification in Australia, a result which the state government believes is a major step forward in the development of clean coal technology in Western Australia.
WA Business News,Western Australia - Thursday 21 February 2008
Coal exports from Bunbury tipped
Coal could be exported out of Bunbury Port within the next six to 12 months...The export of coal through the port is coming to fruition with the Coal Development Group supporting engineering design work.
Collie Mail - Western Australia - Thursday 21 February 2008
Queensland Coal Losses Will Exceed A$1 Billion, Review Says
Australia's Queensland state coal output losses due to heavy rain will probably exceed A$1 billion ($913 million), the Australian Financial Review said.... Production losses may be between 10 million and 15 million metric tons, almost 10 percent of annual capacity, helping drive prices to a record..
Bloomberg - Australia & New Zealand - Tuesday 19 February 2008
World's Most Advanced Carbon Capture Technology Comes to Australia
An Australian-based company has acquired the Asia-Pacific rights to the world's most advanced carbon capture and storage system. The system, called the Purenergy CO2 Capture System (CCS), is the world's first pre engineered, modular CO2 capture system, which can be retrofitted onto existing power plants or any large industrial greenhouse gas emitter.
Earth Times, London UK - Monday 18 February 2008
Sask. environment minister making trip to Australia
Saskatchewan Environment Minister Nancy Heppner is on her way to Australia to talk about issues related to climate change and help promote Saskatchewan technology...The minister, who will attend an Australia-Canada premier's summit said she expects there will be discussion on climate change adaptation strategies.
Leader-Post, Canada.com - Friday 15 February 2008
Vietnam to slash coal exports by a third in 2008
Vietnam, a key coal supplier to Japan and China, will slash coal exports this year by more than 32 percent to about 22 million tonnes to save more for new power plants at home...Vietnam's plan to cut exports comes at a time of tight coal supplies in most exporting countries...
Ninemsn - Sydney, Australia - Friday 15 February 2008
Queensland's clean coal solutions
The Bligh Government is at the forefront of exciting, new technology to help combat climate change, Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson told State Parliament today. Minister Wilson said drilling was well underway, deep in the Denison Trough in Central Queensland, in the search for clean coal solutions.
Media Newswire, USA - Thursday 14 February 2008
Coal's still the one for Aussies
Australia remains wedded to coal for electricity production with renewable energy accounting for only 2 per cent of energy production in 2005-06...
Black coal accounted to 49 per cent of all Australian energy resource production (most exported)...
Melbourne Herald Sun - Australia - Thursday 7 February 2008
Australia awaits $30b resources bonanza
A $30 billion boost to Australia's export revenue is on the way with coal and iron ore miners close to settling massive price increases with China and Japan. Analysts believe coal prices will double, while Asian steel mills are expected to settle for a 60 per cent jump in iron ore prices...
Sydney Morning Herald - Wednesday 6 February 2008
US scraps ambitious clean-coal power plant
Prospects for nearly emissions-free coal power in the United States have dimmed in the wake of the US Department of Energy's decision to pull the plug on a "clean coal" demonstration plant called FutureGen, observers say.
Christian Science Monitor - USA - Friday 1 February 2008
January 2008 >>
Rio says Australia coal output on track after rains
Rio Tinto Ltd said on Thursday it expects all three of its mines in Australia's Queensland state to be back at full production within a week, following disruptions caused by heavy rain.
Reuters, UK - Thursday 31 January 2008
Resources council seeking joint infrastructure budget allocation
The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) says the next Federal Budget must include money for joint infrastructure projects between industry and the states. The Resources Council has listed funding for national infrastructure, mineral exploration and clean coal technology
ABC Online - Australia - Thursday 31 January 2008
Whitehaven Coal Wins Lease for A$120 Million Narrabri Mine
Whitehaven Coal Ltd., the Australian coal producer seeking to develop an underground mine at Narrabri in New South Wales state, won a lease from the government allowing mining to start at the A$120 million ($107 million) project.
Bloomberg - USA - Wednesday 30 January 2008
Coal still rules ahead of crude oil and natural gas
You are playing crude oil and natural gas futures. You love ethanol. But if you haven't got a fix on coal, your energy sector portfolio sucks. I can give five reasons why you should start taking coal seriously...
Economic Times - India - Tuesday 29 January 2008
Green light for third Newcastle port terminal a boost for economy
A third port terminal at Newcastle is not expected to deliver coal exports until early 2010 after the Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group pressed the go button on immediate construction of the facility yesterday.
The Australian, Sydney - Wednesday 23 January 2008
Australia coal production hit by Queensland floods
Australian coal production in the key mining state of Queensland has been hit by heavy rains and flooding, forcing one mid-sized producer to declare force majeure on immediate shipments and potentially pushing up coal prices.
Guardian Unlimited, UK - Monday 21 January 2008
China net coal exporter in '07, domestic prices jump
China, the world's top coal producer and consumer, remained a net exporter of the fuel in 2007 after booming domestic demand at the start of the year briefly transformed it into a net importer for the first time.
Guardian Unlimited, UK - Tuesday 15 January 2008
Australian coal port clears environmental hurdle
Australia's Queensland state government on Thursday gave its environmental go-ahead for a A$3.5 billion ($3.1 billion) coal terminal, clearing a key hurdle for a project aiming to ease export bottlenecks.
Reuters - USA - Thursday 10 January 2008
New South Wales Appoints Greiner to Help Coal Export
Australia's New South Wales named a former premier of the state as independent coordinator for coal exports through Newcastle port, the world's biggest export harbor for the fuel, to try to clear a backlog of shipments.
Bloomberg - USA - Friday 4 January 2008
$90 million mine deal
Korea has bought out 10 percent of the Moolarben Coal project in Mudgee for $90 million.
Mudgeee Guardian and Gulgong Advertiser - Friday 4 January 2008
Collie coal 's climb prediction
Wesfarmers Premier Coal WA marketing and development general manager Bill Moody said the price of metallurgical coal and steaming coal to export markets was predicted to increase by 50 percent in United States dollar terms...
Collie Mail - Collie,Western Australia - Thursday 3 January 2008
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