In the heart of Brazil, researchers are breathing new life into the embers of the coal industry, proposing a innovative pathway that could revolutionize the energy sector’s approach to decarbonization and job creation. Fabio Teixeira Ferreira da Silva, a researcher at the Centre for Energy and Environmental Economics (Cenergia) at the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, has led a study that offers a glimpse into a future where coal ash, often seen as a waste product, becomes a valuable resource in the fight against climate change.
The study, published in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Transition (Renewable and Sustainable Energy Transformation), outlines a circular industrial system that could transform coal-dependent regions. At the core of this system is a technology called Temperature Swing Adsorption (TSA), which captures CO2 emissions from coal plants. But here’s where it gets interesting: the system also produces zeolites, a type of mineral, from coal ash. These zeolites can then be used to enhance carbon dioxide removal in Bioenergy with CO2 Capture and Storage (BECCS) plants.
Da Silva explains, “The beauty of this system is its circularity. We’re not just capturing carbon; we’re creating a new industry from the ashes of the old.” The techno-economic analysis conducted by da Silva and his team reveals that while TSA technology may have slightly better energy performance, it comes at a higher cost compared to traditional chemical absorption methods. However, the potential benefits extend far beyond immediate cost savings.
A single power plant’s coal ash could yield up to 78,000 tons of zeolites annually. While 15% of this production would be used for CO2 capture at the coal plant, the surplus could support up to four BECCS plants with a combined power capacity of 2.5 GW. These plants could generate 13 terawatt-hours of electricity annually and deliver 13 million tons of CO2 removal. But perhaps most compellingly, the production of zeolites could support a just transition framework in coal-dependent regions, creating more than double the local jobs and generating almost as much revenue as the coal power plant.
The implications for the energy sector are profound. This research suggests that the future of coal-dependent regions doesn’t have to be a choice between environmental sustainability and economic prosperity. Instead, it could be a pathway that achieves both, creating new industries and jobs while significantly reducing carbon emissions.
As da Silva puts it, “This is not just about mitigating the impacts of coal; it’s about turning a liability into an asset.” The study’s findings could shape future developments in the field, encouraging further exploration of circular industrial systems and the potential of coal ash as a valuable resource.
The energy sector is at a crossroads, and da Silva’s research offers a roadmap for a future where decarbonization and socio-economic welfare go hand in hand. As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change, this innovative approach could light the way towards a more sustainable and just energy future.