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About CSIRO

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation is Australia's national science agency and one of the largest and most diverse research agencies in the world.

CSIRO's core areas of impact

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Energy from coal

CSIRO is developing efficient and low emission coal technologies for energy generation.

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/multimedia/Post-Combustion-Capture-Video.html A picture of a man standing near equipment at the Post-combustion capture plant. Find out how post combustion capture works and how it can reduce emissions from coal-fired power stations by more than 85 per cent.
/science/CO2-geological-storage--ci_pageNo-7.html A diagram of carbon dioxide underground storage. CSIRO is involved in Australia’s first underground CO2 storage project.
/science/LASC-Mining-Technology.html A picture of LASC technology. New mining automation technology will improve coal mining productivity and safety around the world.
/science/Diesel-Designs.html A picture of a pile of coal. A CSIRO research project has reduced hazardous diesel particulates from coal mine vehicle exhausts by 92 per cent.
A picture of a man standing near equipment.
Find out how post combustion capture works and how it can reduce emissions from coal-fired power stations by more than 85 per cent.

CSIRO's research is focused on the following:

A close view of coal.

Coal mining
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A person checking equipment.

Carbon capture and storage
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Two men wearing hard hats and checking equipment.

Gasification
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Coal mining - Improving the efficiency and safety of coal production to maximise the benefits Australian coal brings to the world. Learn more>
Carbon capture and storage - Reducing the cost and improving the efficiency of carbon capture and storage. Learn more>
Gasification - Gasifying coal to create high-efficiency, low-emission
energy. Learn more>
A picture of a diesel engine.

Coal engines and carbon fuel cells
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Coal engines and carbon fuel cells - Exploring new ways to generate low- emission electricity from coal. Learn more>

Coal is Australia’s largest export and a major contributor to the national economy. It is the primary fuel for power generation worldwide and provides more than 80 per cent of Australia’s electricity supply.

Coal is however a major contributor to the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. Current coal-based power technologies account for more than one third of Australia’s emissions alone.

CSIRO’s coal technology research is focused on maintaining the benefits that Australia’s coal resources bring to the nation and world while minimising the adverse environmental impacts of coal mining and coal-fired power generation.

Working with industry, research organisations and government, CSIRO’s coal technology research covers the entire coal value chain.

Second Level:
Energy from coal
Index of Energy from coal related information:
  • Great Ocean Road

    Carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) technologies have the potential to make deep cuts in Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions from coal-fired power stations. CSIRO is working to reduce the cost and improve the efficiency of CCS so it is a viable option for our energy future.

  • Wind turbine

    The Energy Transformed Flagship is developing clean affordable energy and transport technologies for a sustainable future - the first steps towards a hydrogen economy.

  • Coal core samples

    CSIRO is meeting the challenges in understanding coal seam gas reservoirs and improving gas drainage and production

  • Coal grain analysis

    Coal grain analysis information is providing a better understanding of the coal performance in existing applications, such as coke making and conventional power generation.

  • A picture of coal.

    A fact sheet on the occurrence of fluorine in Australian and other coals, the behaviour of fluorine during combustion and the environmental effects of fluorine released as a consequence of coal use.

  • A picture of coal.

    A fact sheet on the occurrence of antimony in Australian and other coals, the behaviour of antimony during combustion and the environmental and health effects of antimony released as a consequence of coal use.

Contact

Ms Linley Davis
Communications Manager
Energy Technology
CSIRO Coal Technology
Phone: 61 2 4960 6116 
Alt Phone: 0417 772 480 
Fax: 61 2 4960 6054