Outlook

Higher steam parameters in power plants enable energy conversion which is more efficient, with lower CO2 levels. The next generation of power plants is designed to withstand steam temperatures of over 700 °C. This is not possible when standard materials are used. For this reason, researchers at the Mannheim power plant are now testing thick-walled components made of nickel alloys. Read more

A new competence centre is intended to provide multidisciplinary research into the utilisation of lignite with low carbon dioxide emissions in the chemical industry. With the foundation of Deutsches Brennstoff-Institut, known as DBI-Bergakademie, Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg wants to capitalise on the long tradition of coal research in Saxony. Read more

At a symposium held in Düsseldorf on 21 September 2010, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the energy company RWE examined the issue of how CO₂ can be used as a raw material in new products instead of allowing it to escape into the atmosphere. Read more