E.ON Energie and its subsidiaries relentlessly improve their existing power production systems. In so doing, we at times chart entirely new territory. Our subsidiary E.ON Kraftwerke is part of an international consortium of companies that is testing materials and components in the Scholven coal power plant in Gelsenkirchen.

This is ushering in the development of a new generation of 700°C coal-fired power stations with efficiencies in excess of 50% and significantly lower CO2 emissions. The specifications of the envisioned endgame, i.e. the NRW Reference Power Plant with an efficiency of approximately 46% and a maximum live steam temperature of 620°C, will thus be clearly exceeded. However, this goal can only be achieved by using new nickel-based materials, which are to be tested and refined in the COMTES700 pilot plant.

As a power utility, we believe that it is important to make advances in conventional power plant technology. Engineering highly efficient coal-fired power stations with efficiencies beyond 50% and significantly reduced CO2 emissions can help ensure an efficient, stable supply of electricity and provide sensible protection for our climate.