National Low Emissions Coal Initiative

Last updated: 24 August 2021
Australia’s National Low Emission Coal Initiative (NLECI) aims to support the development and deployment of low emissions technologies and CO2 transport and storage infrastructure. Ongoing projects include the Australian National Low Emission Coal Research and Development initiative and bilateral cooperation on Clean Coal Technology via the Australia–China Joint Coordination Group. Completed projects under the NLECI include: Hydrogen Energy Supply Chain (HESC) Front End Engineering Design (FEED) Project: The Australian and Victorian Governments jointly funded elements of a FEED project for a HESC Pilot Project to convert Victorian brown coal to hydrogen for export to Japan for use as a liquid fuel. The project is one of a number of options that Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd is examining worldwide to meet the Japanese government’s energy diversification plans. Mineral Carbonation Project: The mineral carbonation process uses the natural process of capturing carbon dioxide in mineral deposits and then storing it in rocks. National Carbon Mapping and Infrastructure Plan: The National CO2 Infrastructure Plan was developed to speed up the identification and development of suitable long-term carbon dioxide storage sites within reasonable distances of major energy and industrial emission sources. Post Combustion Capture (PCC) of Carbon Dioxide Technology project: The project aimed to progress PCC technology under the flue gas conditions that are common in Chinese coal fired power stations. The project looked at PCC process designs which provide lower energy requirements for the capture process. Carbon Dioxide Infrastructure Assessment Project (CIAP): Provided the ability to identify potential onshore and offshore pipeline routes in and around Australia for transporting carbon dioxide to geosequestration storage sites. Callide oxyfuel combustion project: The Callide oxyfuel combustion project demonstrated how oxyfuel and carbon capture technology can be used in existing power stations to generate electricity from coal with low emissions.

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