R. W. Beck Foresees Growth of Coal Gasification Technology
Aug 26 - PRNewswire
BOSTON, Aug. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- With seven large-scale coal gasification projects operating nationwide, dozens more in development and numerous other large-scale projects operating worldwide, management consulting and engineering firm R. W. Beck, Inc. foresees coal gasification technologies -- notably, Integrated Gasification Combined-Cycle (IGCC) -- becoming a key component in coal's resurgence.
Herbert Kosstrin, Ph.D., principal and senior director at R. W. Beck in
Boston, says, "There are at least four good reasons for viewing IGCC as
essential in continuing the renewed interest in coal-fired generation."
It's a proven technology; represents the cleanest, least wasteful
coal-processing technology; it's increasingly cost-competitive; and, it's
gaining acceptance as the best available emissions control technology for coal.
The current generation of IGCC technology has been proven and commercialized
by Texaco (now GE Energy), Shell and Conoco Phillips. It is a clean,
non-wasteful coal technology with 40 percent less water usage than other
coal-to-power technologies. Cost-wise, IGCC's fuel variable costs compare
favorably with other coal plants, and its capital costs are equivalent to other
clean coal technologies.
Above all, IGCC benefits from its coal feedstock. The U.S. currently has
proven coal reserves worth more than 225 years of supply at current consumption
estimates; it costs less than natural gas, is far less subject to price
volatility; and it improves U.S. energy security, reducing the dependence on
foreign oil.
"Its future promise," adds Kosstrin, "includes flexible
feedstocks, process options and products; its ability to open new markets for
coal; its potential for replacing natural gas combined-cycle plants through
retrofits; the competitive cost of its electricity, and its potential for
lowest-cost emissions removal."
Founded more than 60 years ago, R. W. Beck ( http://www.rwbeck.com/
) is a technically based management consulting and engineering firm providing
services to both public and private sectors in the areas of energy and
water/waste resources.
Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030429/RWBECKLOGOAP
Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
R. W. Beck
CONTACT: Lee Jeffers Brami, PR Coordintor, R. W. Beck, +1-508-935-1824
Web site: http://www.rwbeck.com/