Investing in Energy: A Primer on the Economics of the Energy Industry

Cleaner Coal

We titled this chapter Cleaner Coal as opposed to Clean Coal, recognizing recent advancements in the technology used to sequester the carbon dioxide in coal-based power generation. There are indeed developments in the technology used to reduce carbon emissions from coal. The power generation sector has made inroads in utilizing cleaner coal, but it is still very early in the game. The technology may be utilized outside of the electric power-generation sector to other emitters of carbon. Carbon capture and storage is still in its infancy. The economics still need to be assessed as to whether cleaner coal can compete with natural gas fuel sources—currently at historic lows in pricing. However, progress in cleaner coal technology is ...