Pursuing major goals

The final aim of energy generation from fossil fuels is already known: building CO2-free power plants that whilst generating electricity from coal or gas neither discharges carbon dioxide or other climate-noxious gases into the atmosphere. There are several ways of achieving this. Which one will be the most technically or commercially effective has to date, not clearly emerged.

One thing is sure: fossil fuels will continue to be an indispensable part of any global energy mix. The proportion of electricity generated from fossil fuels will continue to increase globally. Under these conditions, only the continuous increase in power plant efficiency will bring about a reduction of emissions and a conservation of resources.

Our research activities in energy generation cover a wide field. They allow all customer requests and requirements to be catered for. Trend-setting innovations and new technologies for tomorrow are our objectives.

Developments concentrate on technologies to build maximum efficient power plants with 50% plus efficiencies and 700° plus steam temperatures;, optimisedintegration of biomass and other substitute fuels into energy transformation and on improving the efficiencies of lignite-derived electricity. The aim here is to raise conventional power plant efficiencies by some 10% over the next 10 years. Viewed against today's average efficiency this represents a 30% plus cut in carbon dioxide emissions. In addition, concurrent development of new types of flue gas desulphurization equipment will make it possible in the future to drastically cut the discharge of other environment-critical substances.

These developments to provide energy in a resource-saving and environmentally compatible manner are being supported by projects for emission-free power plants.   The future is already taking place today in the laboratories and testing units of Hitachi Power Europe.