pastmaster,
was there a link to "clean coal" that I read earlier in the day ?
If so, that's the one that I'm replying to.
they've been bleating about "clean coal" for the last 15 years that I'm aware of, and very little has been put into practice.
The state of Victoria is interesting, as they burn coal that won't be ready to be burned for another few million years.
It's Brown coal with up to 60% moisture, and a salt content that requires the units to be removed from service and de glazed regularly.
Their thermal efficiency is around half of a decent black coal, and their greenhouse emmissions about double.
If they closed down those pwoer stations and relocated them up here in NSW, the effect would be astronomical in terms of Oz greenhouse effect.
Look at a map of NSW, and the black coal extends from Newcastle, Under Sydney, and out past Mudgee...there's heaps.
The quoted power station is the least efficient in the country, and (along with the rest of the Victorian power stations) was privatised about 15 years ago...they were given a free coal mine with the station, so fuel costs are about the same as getting a hole dug anywhere. They make money by running flat biscuit, and have even offered zero dollars onto the spot market to keep burning the stuff.
I think that their state Govt stepped in because when privatised, they took over inflated sale prices, and guaranteed income (against market forces) if these companies couldn't compete, or were forced out due to carbon trading.
I'd not be suprised if a nuke came along (freeish fuel, and need bulk generation to recoup capital) that their state Govt would be in all sorts of trouble paying the dodgy deals.
Last thing this country needs is a power station that burns a rubbish fuel at 20% thermal efficiency spending 1/3 of its output collecting and sequestering CO2.
