The coal industry's "War on Coal" campaign is all spin

Owners of 'advanced energy' coal power plants will be stuck with inefficient white elephants.

The coal industry has stepped up an advertising campaign against what it has branded a "War on Coal".

The goal is to encourage the construction of coal-fired power plants. Each new coal-fired power plant will lock-in buyers for thermal coal for the next 30 to 40 years.

What is good for coal mining companies is not so good for the energy industry and its customers:  the businesses and families who pay energy bills. 

This coal industry advertising campaign talks-up new coal-fired power plants by calling them "advanced energy".

In reality these "advanced energy" coal-fired power plants suffer from very limited efficiency. Less than half of the energy in coal is converted to usable electricity.

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@WWF files complaint vs @peabodyenergy for false campaign to promote so-called clean #coal in developing nations. http://t.co/VS96bPeGlU
— Tom Kenis (@tomkenis) May 4, 2014

US mining lobby ads criticized as misleading http://t.co/9g5bvLmQQd #coal
— Rising Tide NA (@RisingTideNA) May 28, 2014

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Coal mining companies wrote of more efficient energy generation on its promotional web site "Coal Can Do That" in February 2009:

Coal-to-Gas is an Off-the-Shelf Energy Solution, by Frank Clemente.

By 17 March 2014 the coal lobby removed the web pages for its promotional web site "Coal Can Do That" but a copy of this article by Frank Clemente was cached by Google as it existed on 23 February 2014.

By 2 April 2014 the coal lobby removed the cached copy of the web pages for "Coal Can Do That".

You may still read a copy of the "Coal Can Do That" article "Coal-to-Gas is Off-the-Shelf Energy Solution" from February 2009 by Dr. Frank Clemente.

This "War on Coal" campaign now talks-down this far better power generating technology that is more efficient. At least 60 percent of the energy in fuel is converted to usable electricity. When used for "Combined Heat and Power" systems over 90 percent of the energy in fuel is delivered to customers.

.@sunlorrie Suddenly, coal industry is rejecting coal to natural gas on environment concerns. Admits economics good: http://t.co/D4bNGGRS1X
— Askgerbil Now (@Askgerbil) April 20, 2014

.@EINPowerPlants Gas power plants already at 60 percent efficiency. Urgency only needed for redesign of #coal-to-gas: http://t.co/PbgPBkCSNX
— Askgerbil Now (@Askgerbil) June 20, 2014

This truly advanced energy technology gives owners the flexibility to buy whatever fuel is cheapest from time to time. It uses flexible, proven modules. Unlike coal-fired power stations these modules may be upgraded to increase productivity at any time:

• A fuel processing module that converts any carbon-containing raw material (coal, natural gas, crop waste, etc) into hydrogen and carbon dioxide.
• A power generating module (gas turbine, Combined Heat and Power internal combustion engine, fuel cell...)

The far superior power generating technology provides additional advantages:

• The fuel processing plant can grow its market by selling hydrogen and carbon dioxide to fertiliser manufacturers and other chemical industries. 
• The fuel processing plant can be upgraded to boost its efficiency independently of the power generators or chemical industries that buy its products. For instance:
  
  • the CSIRO is actively developing hydrogen separation membranes for continually cutting the cost of producing hydrogen and carbon dioxide.
  • the CSIRO has commercialised SolarGas - employing concentrated solar thermal energy to decompose carbon-containing fuel sources into hydrogen and carbon monoxide.

Owners of "advanced energy" (sic) coal power plants will be stuck with inefficient white elephants for 30 to 40 years watching their competitiveness decline steadily against the superior, flexible energy producers.

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Update, 6 February 2017

Integrated coal Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) is the next-generation in thermal power

.@fidahunzai88 Coal-fired power plants not the most efficient way to use coal resources. South Korea moving to IGCC https://t.co/PyD70epxnD

— Askgerbil Now (@Askgerbil) February 3, 2017

Utilities request right to dismantle their coal-fired plants in Spain because of low profitability. https://t.co/G2JLMYEpQd #ActOnClimate

— Askgerbil Now (@Askgerbil) February 2, 2017

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COAL DETHRONED

Coal is no longer the cheapest form of energy in America.

Innovation by natural gas turbine manufacturers continues to increase efficiency of natural gas power plants. Coal-fired power plants are no longer competitive.

Southern Company’s President and CEO Tom Fanning:

"We’re shutting a 550-megawatt coal plant and replacing it with a 2,500-megawatt natural gas plant."

Read more at Georgia Trend in Energizing The South

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#Coal miner donates $700k to Libs, gets mine expansion. Makes me sick. We need #cleanpolitics http://t.co/PIfED60Fd4 #auspol #nswpol
— Jack Gough (@jgough87) May 9, 2014

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Further reading -

The "Coal Can Do That" article "Coal-to-Gas is Off-the-Shelf Energy Solution" from February 2009 by Dr. Frank Clemente.

Coal - not dead yet, but outlook bleak

The coal lobby scores an own goal

Some reasons for making a decision to NOT build a new coal-fired power plant

Zero emission coal is here now - about Latrobe Fertilisers' project

PM Tony Abbott rules out reinstating Knights and Dames in Oz

• The Sunday Telegraph
• December 22, 2013 12:00AM

Bradley Wiggins, 2012 Tour de France winner and Olympic gold medal winning cyclist, is Knighted by the Queen. Picture: AP Source: AP

HE restored an oath of allegiance to the Queen when he was sworn in as Prime Minister, but Tony Abbott has ruled out bringing back Knights and Dames in Australia.

Monarchists including David Flint and Alexander Downer have mused that the PM is such a traditionalist that he may follow New Zealand's lead and bring back knighthoods.

Tony Abbott swore allegiance to the Queen as incoming Prime Minister but has ruled out bringing back imperial honours. Source: News Limited

But critics within the Liberal Party have savaged the idea of as an attempt to introduce a "bunyip aristocracy''.

In an interview with The Sunday Telegraph, Mr Abbott said he did not support the idea, which would involve converting the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) to Knighthoods or reintroducing a new regal honour.

Alexander Downer had hoped Prime Minister Tony Abbott would follow New Zealand’s lead and reinstate Knights and Dames. Source: News Limited

"It's true that some people have said to me: 'What about doing what New Zealand did','' Mr Abbott said.

"But I don't think it would be practical to just rebadge ACs. There was a rarity to their AC equivalent which made it easier for them to do this."

Prime Minister Tony Abbott denies radio broadcaster and devout monarchist Alan Jones suggested bringing back the titles. Source: News Limited

Asked if Sydney radio broadcaster and friend Alan Jones had pushed the idea, Mr Abbott said he had not.

"No, no, no. Just a bit of chatter. I don't think New Zealand is a relevant model here.

"The problem is they just basically converted there ACs into knighthoods. I just don't think that's realistic in this country.

SAMANTHA MAIDEN: THE FISCAL GLOVES ARE OFF

"Look, I am pleased that we've got Sir David Smith and Sir Rod Eddington. Good to see Sir Bradley Wiggins as a result of things he did in the United Kingdom.

"I don't mind having Knights and Dames around. We've thankfully still got a few."

Australian businessman Sir Rod Eddington received a Knighthood for services to the aviation industry after serving as CEO of British Airways. Source: News Limited

Former Prime Minister John Howard's appointment to Her Majesty's Order of merit (OM) also sparked discussion about the option last year.

It was Gough Whitlam who axed Knighthoods in 1975, only to watch Malcolm Fraser reinstate Knights and Dames a year later.

Members of the Australian Mocharchist Leageu Professor David Flint and Jai Martinkovits. Alan Jones is the league’s patron. Picture: Nic Gibson Source: News Limited

Then after the 1983 election, then Prime Minister Bob Hawke abolished the category all over again.

John Howard is understood to have rejected the idea of reinstating Knights and Dames on the grounds that the endless chopping and changing was undermining the dignity of the honour.

Many of his advisers also believed the Liberal Party would be mocked and seen as out of touch with modern Australia.

Zero emission coal is here - now

Latrobe Fertilisers Limited

Latrobe Fertilisers Limited was incorporated in September 2012 to deploy proven coal gasification technologies to produce urea.

The coal gasification process delivers a separate stream of CO₂ which can be captured and stored.

Urea Plant

The coal will be gasified to produce a synthesis gas - a mixture of CO and H₂. The production of urea (and DAP fertiliser) first requires the production of ammonia (NH₃) and the nitrogen to do this comes from the Air Separation Unit at the front end of the flow sheet with the hydrogen coming from the shift reaction ...

(CO + H₂O → H₂ + CO₂)

Environment

The project will be subject to the normal state and federal environmental approval process. The plant will be located on an approved industrial site adjacent to a power station and mine which has several of the environmental approvals already in place.

Sustainability

Latrobe Fertilisers is committed to build the first near to zero emissions urea plant in Australia.

The project is engineered to capture its excess CO₂ not used in the urea production (see project flow sheet) and ultimately direct this to a common user geosequestration facility.  The establishment of such a facility is supported by the Victorian Government who are currently one of the sponsors of  a trial CO₂ injection project in Victoria’s Otway Basin.

Further reading -

The "Coal Can Do That" article "Coal-to-Gas is Off-the-Shelf Energy Solution" from February 2009 by Dr. Frank Clemente.

The coal industry's "War on Coal" campaign is all spin

Forum on doubling energy productivity

Australia is being left behind in the energy productivity race. (A2SE CEO, Chris Dunstan published in The Conversation today) Photo courtesy of The Conversation When Australia hosts the G20 Leaders' Summit in November, a top agenda item for its “Brisbane Action Plan” will be “practical actions to improve productivity and competitiveness” . Here's a good place to start: tapping the billions of dollars of savings available to Australian businesses and consumers, with a goal to double our energy productivity. Other G20 members – notably China, Europe and the United States – are recognising that improved energy productivity is vital to their competitiveness. Will Australia be left behind? … See the full article here . Bonus Offer: 3-for-2 Register three people from the same organisation at full price and only pay for two. Contact Us Now or phone Sarah Dixon at: 9419 4889 Click to view the Program Registration price $880  + GST (includes 2 full days with a networking dinner on day one) Energy productivity:   The neglected competitiveness issue … and the easiest for policy makers to address Both State and Commonwealth governments see boosting productivity and competitiveness as core to their reform agendas.  For the first time, energy is being seen as an integral element in that agenda as Governments try to address specific competitiveness issues caused by recent electricity price escalation and the current major gas price increases to limit loss of manufacturing jobs.  The 2XEP Forum brings together leaders in each sector of the economy to discuss how we can double our energy productivity to directly address all these challenges, as well as oil supply security and meeting our carbon reduction targets. The 2XEP Forum provides a unique opportunity for policy makers, advisors and industry, environment, transport and energy departmental officers to hear and interact with many key leaders in a concentrated two days.  Gain a better understanding of the issues and expand your network at the Forum on Energy Productivity.  Engage with key U.S. leaders including:         Heather Zichal President Obama's Lead Advisor on Energy and Climate Change (2009-2013) Dr. Dan Arvizu Chief Executive U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Kateri Callahan President U.S. Alliance to Save Energy Omar Siddiqui Senior Technical Executive U.S. Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) Other Global Leaders include: Connie Hedegaard (video address) European Commissioner for Climate Action Adam Welsh Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs and Market Development, Opower Barry Lynham Group Director, Strategy and Communications, Knauf Insulation Skip Laitner Visiting Fellow, American Council for an Energy Efficiency Economy Protecting Australian Competitiveness Governments around the world are implementing policy to cut carbon emissions and energy costs at the same time.   Europe   and China have aggressive plans to do more with less energy. Meanwhile, President Obama has committed to double U.S. energy productivity by 2030 (view video). It is estimated that doubling energy productivity in the U.S. could deliver $327 billion in savings and 1.2 million jobs (view video): the benefits would be no less significant to the Australian economy. Engage with key Australian Leaders: Minister Greg Hunt MP Minister for Environment Minister Anthony R oberts MP NSW Minister for Resources and Energy Robert Hill Adjunct Professor United States Studies Centre, University of Sydney Clover Moore Lord Mayor of Sydney View the program here. Then register for the Forum immediately.  Do not miss your chance to engage with these leaders. Supporting the Forum A2SE gratefully acknowledges the support of its partners and sponsors:                                                                                                                                                                                     If you would like more information on the Forum, the 2XEP initiative, or A2SE membership please contact Event Manager, Carmina Jimenez at 2XEP@a2se.org.au or (02) 9514-3675

The Australian Alliance to Save Energy, Level 11, UTS Building 10, 235 Jones St, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Ph: 02 9514 3675

Australia’s Emissions Abatement Task - Reduced by TWO years of the CARBON TAX

Australian media hides facts buried in Abbott Government reports produced 20 December 2013:
In Australia’s Abatement Task and 2013 Emissions Projections at page 12 -

"more electricity to be generated from fossil fuels"

"Electricity emissions growth is expected to accelerate from 2020 to 2030, with emissions projected to be 243 Mt CO 2 -e in 2030 or 23 per cent above 2012 levels. Higher emissions growth is due to increased demand for electricity that is largely met by fossil fuel generation."

In Australia’s Abatement Task -
Recent modelling conducted by the Treasury and the former Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education (now the Department of the Environment) indicates the amount of emissions reductions required to achieve Australia’s 2020 target of 5 per cent below 2000 levels is less than previous estimates.¹ This fact sheet explains how Australia’s abatement task has changed since Australia’s Emissions Projections 2012.

Australia’s abatement task is 431 Mt CO₂-e

Australia’s abatement task from 2013 to 2020 has fallen from 755 million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO₂-e) in Australia’s Emissions Projections 2012, to 591 Mt CO₂-e in modelling undertaken for the Climate Change Authority’s (CCA’s) Targets and Progress Review Draft Report.

For further information, refer to Australia’s Abatement Task and 2013 Emissions Projections. This reduction is mainly attributable to a revised outlook for activity in emissions-intensive sectors of the economy.

"Australia's abatement task reduced by the carbon tax in 2012-13 AND 2013-14."

When other factors such as abatement from two years of the carbon tax and the ability to use surplus reductions achieved in the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol are taken into account, Australia’s abatement task falls from 591 to 431 Mt CO₂-e.

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¹ Year references are to financial years ending with the year specified. For example, 2013 refers to 2012-13.

Changes in Australia’s abatement task

"Australia's abatement task reduced by lower cost estimates for wind and solar."

The change in Australia’s abatement task can be attributed to:

• a shift in the outlook for certain emissions-intensive industries and lower technology cost estimates especially for wind and solar technologies;
• changes from the Kyoto Protocol’s second commitment period including the adoption of revised global warming potentials from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report and broadened coverage of the land sector to include emissions from forest management and selected Article 3.4 activities;
• changes to the 2020 target associated with an updated inventory value for the 2000 base year;
• an adjustment for voluntary action, which was not estimated in previous projections;
• the assumed use of surplus units from the Kyoto Protocol first commitment period in the period to 2020; and
• abatement from the carbon tax and Carbon Farming Initiative in 2012-13 and 2013-14.

Academy of Interactive Entertainment - March Newsletter

Online Open Day, $50k for Incubator Graduates & call for AIE Alumni AIE Newsletter March 2014 Online Open Day this Saturday The Online Open Day is on this Saturday, 15th March from 12:30pm. Register your interest and find out how online study works at AIE. Support for Indie Studios Game and film projects coming out of the AIE Incubator Program can now apply for a $50,000 development grant. Find out more here Indie Game Winning Awards AIE graduate, Josh Boggs is in the spotlight with his soon to be released game, Framed. Calling all AIE Alumni Are you a graduate who is doing great things and want to be part of an exclusive Alumni event? Leave your details here and we will get back to you with more info. Students bring Canberra to light AIE students play a key role in the Enlighten Festival in Canberra, creating some amazing graphics that were projected onto iconic buildings. Worlds Best Visit AIE! Students have been fortunate enough to have industry speakers from Disney, Pixar and Nnooo come in to share their industry knowledge. Upcoming Events Now - Applications for Online courses open. 15th March - Online Open Day 16th April - Industry Experience Day The top image in our newsletter this month was created by a group of year one 3D animation students as part of their end of year production. The full clip can be seen on our Facebook page AIE videos on Vimeo • Like us on Facebook • send us an email Copyright © 2014 Academy of Interactive Entertainment, All rights reserved.

Improve water quality of inland waterways and generate income

Water quality and sources of pollution - Eutrophication and algal blooms

(Source: Australian Government - Department of the Environment)
Eutrophication occurs when the major plant nutrients - nitrogen and phosphorus - accumulate in water (or sediments). Given the right conditions, elevated concentrations of nutrients stimulate the growth of aquatic flora to nuisance levels. Examples include microscopic algae in the water column which may result in algal blooms...

Algal blooms are a natural occurrence, however, due to human activities (such as land clearing, destruction of riparian vegetation, water extraction, decreased flow and flow variability associated with weirs and dams, discharge of sewage and intensive agriculture), higher quantities of nitrogen and phosphorus have been reaching inland waters. Periods of low or no flow in many rivers have also increased due to high water extraction and river regulation. The combination of high nutrient levels and long periods of low or no flow provide ideal conditions for algal blooms to develop.

Blue-green algal blooms are of most concern in inland waters as certain species produce toxins that may cause skin irritations, gastrointestinal disorders, influenza-like symptoms and, in extreme cases, permanent organ damage and death (ANZECC/AWRC 1992). Many of the toxins produced by blue-green algae can affect people, livestock, birds and fish. ...

For human uses, blue-green algal blooms in drinking water resources is the most serious issue. Traditional water treatment methods are unable to remove the algal toxins from algae-contaminated water, while other alternative water treatment methods are expensive. Blue-green algal blooms may affect the recreational use of a waterway by decreasing its aesthetic amenity and posing a health risk to individuals who have direct contact with the algae.

"A $40 a tonne increase in the US in December has led Australian farmers paying up to $200 a tonne more for the fertiliser diammonium phosphate (DAP)."

Point sources of nitrogen and phosphorus include sewage treatment plants, intensive agriculture (such as cattle feedlots and piggeries) and industry. Although in most river systems, point sources only contribute to 5% to 35% of the total amount of nutrients entering the waterway (Environment Australia 1996; NPI 2000), their impact can be proportionally greater.

Point-source discharges are usually continuous and often contain high levels of nitrate and phosphate, forms of nitrogen and phosphorus that can be readily used by algae.

In dry weather, diffuse source nutrient pollution is generally low and point sources are the largest source of nutrients. The greater stability of the water column in dry weather is generally more favourable to the development of algal blooms (SKM 2001) and there is also less flow in river systems to dilute point-source discharges.

Although there is information on the quantity of nutrients discharged from sewage treatment plants (NPI 2000), there is no comprehensive information on other point sources. ... The contribution to nutrient loads from intensive livestock enterprises is potentially considerable as these facilities are widespread, often poorly regulated and generate wastes that are high in nutrients (e.g. manure).

Figures 13 and 14 show the quantities of phosphorus and nitrogen discharged to inland waters by sewage treatment plants each year. As New South Wales has the highest inland population, its sewage treatment plants also discharge the highest quantity of nutrients. The four river systems that receive the highest loads of nitrogen (greater than 100 tonnes per year) and phosphorus (greater than 30 tonnes per year) from sewage treatment plants are the Murrumbidgee, Hawkesbury-Nepean, Namoi and Hunter.

Figure 13: Tonnes of phosphorus discharged by inland sewage treatment plants each year.

Source: Data for New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania were obtained from licensing databases supplied by state regulatory agencies. Data for Northern Territory, Western Australia, Australian Capital Territory and South Australia were obtained from the National Pollutant Inventory 2000.

Figure 14: Tonnes of nitrogen discharged by inland sewage treatment plants each year.

Source: Data for New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania were obtained from licensing databases supplied by state regulatory agencies. Data for Northern Territory, Western Australia, Australian Capital Territory and South Australia were obtained from the National Pollutant Inventory 2000.

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Struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate) Recovery

"Ostara’s Pearl® technology created at the University of British Columbia recovers ammonia and phosphate from nutrient rich fluids."

Ostara’s proprietary wastewater treatment technology, called the Pearl® Nutrient Recovery Process, recovers phosphorus and other nutrients from sludge liquids preventing the buildup of struvite scale in plant infrastructure and converting the recovered nutrients into a premium commercial fertilizer (Crystal Green®)

The pellets are then harvested from the reactor and formulated to become Crystal Green®, a high-quality environmentally friendly, slow-release, commercial fertilizer that provides revenue for the system’s operator.

Ostara’s Pearl® technology is based on a proprietary fluidized bed reactor that recovers ammonia and phosphate from nutrient rich fluids. The technology, created at the University of British Columbia, uses a proprietary fluidized bed reactor design which removes approximately 85% of the influent phosphorus, but also results in the formation of a fertilizer in granular form consistent with that used in the fertilizer industry.
(Read more ...)

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Incitec Pivot Phosphorus Fertilisers

Ammonia Molecule

DAP (Diammonium Phosphate) is manufactured by reacting ammonia with phosphoric acid. Because it has a high nitrogen and phosphorus content, DAP allows savings to be made in storage, freight and application. It is a very economical nitrogen and phosphorus fertiliser and is widely used throughout the world. In Australia, DAP is used in cropping and on grass pastures, both on its own and in blends, e.g. for sugarcane and horticulture.

(Read more ...)