Greenhouse Gas Comes Under the Spotlight

Greenhouse Gas Comes Under the Spotlight

Technologies to capture and store the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, (CO2) to prevent it escaping into the atmosphere will come under the spotlight at a seminar in Wellington on Monday 23 February, 2004.

The one-day symposium, “A viable option for achieving large reductions of CO2 emissions,” is hosted by CRL Energy Ltd in partnership with Solid Energy New Zealand Ltd and the Coal Association of New Zealand.

International speakers at the seminar are the world experts in the field of carbon sequestration.

Solid Energy Chief Executive Officer, Don Elder, says developments in the capture and storage of CO2 are of major importance to New Zealand because coal-fired power stations are among New Zealand’s best options to meet our increasing energy needs.

“A future coal-fired power station would utilise the best-available clean coal technologies to minimise CO2 emissions.

“New commercial technology can achieve efficiencies of over 50%.

“Technologies are already being trialed successfully in North America and Europe to capture CO2 at the point of emission and store it underground.

“This is still relatively expensive, but as with all technologies, it is decreasing and it is likely to be affordable within a decade,” says Dr Elder.

CRL Energy’s Managing Director, Rob Whitney says the disposal of CO2 generated from the use of fossil fuels, whether from conventional or new technologies, is essential for coal’s place in a zero emissions future.

“Capture and storage of CO2, particularly in geological formations, is a real option for achieving significant reductions in emissions,” he says.

The Chairman of the Coal Association of New Zealand, Chris Baker says a number of developed and developing countries are carrying out substantial research into achieving commercially viable solutions for the capture and storage of CO2.

“The seminar will give New Zealand interests the chance for a first-hand update on developments in this important area of research worldwide,” says Mr Baker.

International speakers include experts from Norway, Australia, the UK, Canada and the United States who are all Executive Committee members of the International Energy Agency’s Greenhouse Gas group.

Leading edge research and demonstration projects will also be presented and discussed at the seminar, which begins at 8.30am at Intercontinental Wellington.

A registration fee applies.

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