Clean Coal | Clean Coal Knowledge Centre
Canada's National Knowledge Centre on Near-zero Emissions Clean Coal Technologies
In today’s discussions regarding fossil fuels and electric power generation, the terms "clean coal", "clean coal technologies", "zero emissions" and "near-zero emissions technologies" are often used – sometimes interchangeably. It would be useful, therefore, to have an understanding of these terms and the concepts from which they arise. It should be noted, however, that the definitions put forth here might not be universally used.
Clean coal technologies
Through the 1980s and early 1990s, efforts were focused on the reduction of industrial emissions of criteria air contaminants (CACs). These are: particulate matter (PM); sulphur dioxide (SO2); and, nitrogen oxides (NOX). During those years, the term "clean coal technologies" was generally used to refer to those technologies that effectively dealt with these emissions.
Since the mid-1990s, the issues of climate change and emissions of toxic substances have come to the fore of the environmental consciousness. This has brought further attention to coal-fired facilities, because they release carbon dioxide (CO2 - a greenhouse gas which contributes to climate change) and mercury (Hg - a potential neurological toxin) to the atmosphere. So, the "clean coal technologies" described previously would not necessarily be adequate to deal with emissions of mercury and certainly cannot reduce emissions of carbon dioxide.
Today, there is much work underway to develop fossil fuel technologies that address all the above mentioned environmental concerns at the same time. The goal of these is to reduce emissions of SO2, NOX, particulate matter, mercury and carbon dioxide to near-zero levels (see notes 2 and 3 below). Within this forum, we use the term "near-zero emissions" to describe such technologies. That is to say, "near-zero emissions" technologies are advanced beyond “clean coal” technologies.
In Canada, as in the United States, the predominant users of coal are the electricity generation plants. Similar to the US, Canada’s focus on atmospheric pollutants has progressed from primarily the criteria air contaminants (CACs) to encompass mercury (and other toxic substances) and greenhouse gases.
The intention of this Centre is to encourage dialogue and to enhance the dissemination of information on all aspects of coal-related technologies. The goal is to advance and accelerate the development and deployment of near-zero emissions technologies in Canada and elsewhere throughout the world.