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.

“The ZeroGen project could become the first in the world to combine coal gasification with carbon capture and storage, to produce electricity with low carbon dioxide emissions,” Mr Wilson said.

“It’s a two-pronged approach and it’s all about smarter, cleaner power. The first, aims to convert coal into hydrogen gas to generate power.

“For this, ZeroGen plans to build a demonstration power plant close to the Stanwell power station near Rockhampton.

“The second, aims to capture carbon dioxide released in the combustion process at the site, and store it underground in deep, saline reservoirs in the Northern Denison Trough,” Mr Wilson said.

Minister Wilson said the Bligh Government had committed $300 million to the whole project out of its Clean Coal Fund.

“With delays in the FutureGen project in the US, the international spotlight will shine on Queensland,” Mr Wilson said.

“We’re also on the front foot with an oxy-fuel project being developed by CS Energy near Biloela.

“It involves using a conventional power station, burning the coal in pure oxygen, making it easier to capture the carbon dioxide.

“It’s expected to demonstrate that our coal-fired power stations fleet can be retro-fitted with this technology to achieve deep cuts to carbon emissions.

“That’s important in a state with more than 32 billion tonnes of high-quality, low-cost, easily-accessible, black coal.

The Minister said coal would continue to play a role in the global electricity mix.

“Our key challenge is to use it in a responsible and environmentally sustainable way.

“One of the world’s leading economists on climate change, Sir Nicholas Stern said clean coal could be Australia’s gift to the world.

“With ZeroGen and our oxy-fuel project, Queensland is showing leadership.

“We’ve set up a Clean Coal Council chaired by the Premier and have come up with sensible, workable solutions.

“We’re doing this because we take our responsibilities seriously and are planning for the future,” he said.

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