Strategy for sustainable power generation from fossil fuels

The strategic issues for the continued use of fossil fuels are described, with emphasis on the environmental challenges that this raises for continued coal use. This includes the need to embrace increased efficiency and fuel flexibility in the short term, near zero emission technology with CO2 capture and storage in mid term, and a longer term link to hydrogen. In particular, the need to establish techniques for the capture and long-term storage of carbon dioxide is a key requirement. The R&D issues are considered as are the market and regulatory issues that must be addressed if near zero emissions coal fired power plants are to be established in the foreseeable future.