UK CATs matrix: a capabilities guide to UK carbon abatement technologies for fossil fuel power generation.
Fossil fuels presently underpin most aspects of modern life and currently provide around 70% of the world's electricity generating capacity. Whilst the introduction of renewable energy technologies and potential construction of new nuclear plant will reduce this dependence over time, most projections show that fossil fuels will continue to dominate the global energy supply for at least another 40 years. However, the combustion of fossil fuels produces carbon dioxide (CO2), the main gas causing climate change, a phenomenon that is generally acknowledged to pose a major threat to the social and economic well being of both developed and developing countries.
Carbon abatement technologies (CATs) for fossil fuel power generation are a group of innovative technologies that enable power plants to operate with substantially reduced CO2 emissions, with, in some cases, reductions of up to 90%. This means that they can be part of the solution to climate change, whilst still making a major contribution to the security of the world's electricity supply and economy.
This capability guide focuses on the expertise and capabilities of companies operating in the UK in CATs for fossil fuel power generation. Technologies in this group offer more efficient fuel conversion processes, fuel switching to lower carbon alternatives and carbon capture and storage (CCS). More specifically, these technologies include:
- high-efficiency power generation
- co-firing of fossil fuels and biomass
- pre-combustion CO2 capture
- post-combustion CO2 capture
- oxy-fuel firing
- CO2 transport
- CO2 injection and storage
- post-injection measuring, monitoring and verification.
In addition to these technologies, the guide also includes information and contact details for UK companies and organisations that provide an array of services supporting CATs development and deployment. These include funding bodies, industry associations, and companies providing consultancy services, e.g. on risk assessment, project planning, financial assessment and legal and regulatory issues.
The capability guide is structured as follows:
- Technology overviews describing the various CATs associated with fossil fuel power generation and the status of these technologies in the UK. These technology overviews have been provided by the companies and organisations themselves.
- Directory of UK CATs stakeholder organisations, including technology/service providers and research organisations/institutes.
- Links to other useful organisations, e.g. UK Government departments, industry bodies and funding agencies that can assist in the development and deployment of CATs.
- A matrix of key services and products provided by the organisations listed in this guide has also been included.