Hard coal will continue to play an important role in the supply of energy. A large number of existing power stations will have to be replaced between 2010 and 2020 as they come of age.

 

At the same time, however, the incessant increase in demand for electricity will have to be satisfied as well. Today, we already generate twice as much power from a kilogram of hard coal as we did in the 1950s.

 

But our goals are even more lofty. We intend to achieve further improvements in the efficiency of our coal-fired power plants, in order to conserve resources, while reducing CO₂ emissions.

 

 

 

 

We Dare to Take a Quantum Leap in Power Plant Technology

 

Efforts are being made the world over to enhance the efficiency of power plants. What will be unique, however, is that E.ON will build the world’s first large-scale coal-fired power station using entirely new materials, with an installed capacity of 400 MW or more. Sub-assemblies and components capable of withstanding a steam temperature of 700°C and a pressure of 350 bar are being tested to this end as part of the COMTES700 project in the Scholven power plant.

 

This is a key prerequisite, as higher temperatures and pressures are the key to improving efficiency. The objective is to achieve efficiencies in excess of 50%, which would represent a quantum leap in power plant technology. Today's cutting-edge facilities have efficiencies of 46%. The German average is 38%.

 

E.ON wants to choose a site for the power plant of the future next year. Required research projects are being launched in parallel. We will have completed the plant’s design by the end of 2008 and commence constructing it as early as 2010. In 2014, we will commission the power plant - the only one of its kind worldwide - and usher in a new era of coal-based electricity production.