A New Role for Coal in a Low Carbon Future:
Bridging the Electricity Gap

Introduction:

As the global shift towards decarbonization accelerates, coal, long a cornerstone of electricity generation, is increasingly being phased out due to its significant carbon footprint. However, this transition has created a paradox: while the demand for electricity continues to rise, the very sources that have historically met this demand are being dismantled. The “electricity gap” is a looming challenge, one that cannot be fully addressed by renewable energy sources alone in the near term. Yet, a solution exists that could utilize existing coal reserves in an environmentally responsible way—without the harmful emissions traditionally associated with coal.

The Challenge: Bridging the Electricity Gap

The world faces a critical challenge. On one hand, there is an urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, leading to the rapid decommissioning of coal-fired power plants. On the other hand, global electricity demand is expected to grow by nearly 50% by 2050. This creates a significant “electricity gap” as renewable energy sources like solar and wind, despite their potential, are not yet capable of providing the consistent, large-scale power needed to meet global demands.

  • Growing Demand: The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects a 50% increase in global electricity demand by 2050, driven by factors like population growth, urbanization, and the electrification of transportation.
  • Insufficient Alternatives: Despite rapid growth, solar and wind currently provide only about 10% of the world’s electricity. Scaling these technologies to meet future demand would require vast amounts of land, resources, and time—factors that are in limited supply.
  • Nuclear Power Challenges: While nuclear power offers a low-carbon alternative, it faces significant challenges, including high costs, long construction times, and public opposition. Even if these hurdles are overcome, it would take decades to scale nuclear capacity to the necessary levels .

The result is a potential shortfall in electricity generation, which could lead to increased energy prices, grid instability, and reliance on less desirable energy sources.

The w2e New Role for Coal Solution:

w2e Technology offers an innovative approach to utilizing coal in a manner that aligns with environmental goals while addressing the growing electricity gap. Our process converts coal into valuable green fuels—such as hydrogen, methane, and methanol—without the harmful emissions typically associated with coal combustion.

  • No Emissions, No Combustion: Unlike traditional coal-fired power plants, w2e Technology’s process does not involve burning coal. Instead, we use a controlled thermochemical process that eliminates emissions, including CO2, NOx, and SOx, and avoids combustion entirely.
  • Green Energy from Coal: The fuels produced by w2e Technology can be used to generate electricity in a clean and efficient manner. For instance, hydrogen can be utilized in fuel cells, while methane and methanol can be used in advanced gensets to provide grid-connected power.
  • Self-Sustaining Process: Our plants are powered entirely by renewable energy generated from the fuels we produce, making them independent of the grid and further reducing the overall carbon footprint.
  • High Efficiency: w2e Technology maximizes the energy potential of coal, converting it into high-yield, low-carbon fuels that can be used flexibly across various sectors, including power generation, transportation, and industry.

By harnessing the latent energy in coal without the associated environmental harm, w2e Technology provides a practical solution to the electricity gap. Our approach not only ensures a reliable supply of electricity but also contributes to the broader goals of decarbonization and sustainability.

NEXT STEPS:
w2e is capable of processing and eliminating multiple forms of waste, pollution and nuisance. From the process comes clean fuel and power in the form of many in demand end-products. w2e is ready to bring timely, profitable solutions that address the needs of many industries, companies and interests. We believe the best way to learn more about each other’s needs is to discuss them. Get with the Authorized Distributor you are working with or fill out the Contact Us form. Let’s see if our interests align. And if they do, we encourage you to come see us in Salt Lake City for a face-to-face meeting and demonstration. Thank you for visiting.