Coal-Powered Electricity Gets Cleaner and Cheaper with Innovative Turbine Designs
The article discusses advancements in turbine technology for Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) power plants, which aim to cleanly and efficiently use the nation's coal reserves for electricity generation. By integrating coal gasification with modern combustion turbines, IGCC offers a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional coal-burning plants. Past challenges with high costs have been addressed through the development of advanced gas turbines and improved engineering of the gasification and power generation processes. This progress has made IGCC competitive with conventional coal plants, leading to the implementation of multiple IGCC projects supported by government and private funding. The ongoing technology developments are paving the way for even more efficient and environmentally friendly IGCC systems in the future.