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The Sydney Morning Herald: national, world, business, entertainment, sport and technology news from Australia’s leading newspaper.

Carbon capture put to the test in NSW * * Email * Printer friendly version * Normal font * Large fontBen Cubby Environment ReporterJanuary 15, 2009 NSW is about to find out whether it will be able to capture greenhouse gas emissions from its coal-fired power stations and store them underground.

Drilling began on Monday to see if the rock 800 metres under the Central Coast can handle having thousands of tonnes of liquefied carbon dioxide pumped into it each week.

It is yet to be proved that carbon capture and storage, in which carbon dioxide fumes from power stations are compressed and cooled on-site before being buried, will work on a large scale in Australia. Most environmental groups and some in the coal industry think it will not become effective in time to help slow climate change………………………..

Environmentalists say the expense of carbon capture and storage would take money away from the development of renewable energy.

“The coal industry is trying to create the appearance that it is doing something about climate change, but all they are really doing is fighting tooth and nail to keep themselves in business,” a Greenpeace spokesman said.

The Sydney Morning Herald: national, world, business, entertainment, sport and technology news from Australia’s leading newspaper.

January 14, 2009 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | ENERGY