Aims of the Conference

The Primary Energy Carrier: Coal
Coal is and, for the foreseeable future will, remain the most important fossil energy carrier. World-wide, 38 per cent of electricity demand is met by coal. The use of coal, however, causes carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change. This is why it is important to develop the use of Clean Coal technologies.
Australia has high quality coal and is the world's largest exporter of coal. Europeans, on the other hand, are world leaders when it comes to efficient boiler and mining technologies.

The main subjects of the Conference were:

  • The use of Australian coal in European boilers, with particular emphasis on preparing the way for greater use in the EU of imported coals;
  • Opportunities for collaboration in coal production and coal mine technology;
  • The development and uptake of clean coal utilisation technology with particular emphasis on technologies used to achieve low emission limits, and on prospective ”next generation” coal-fired power generation units;
  • Business and market opportunities for European mining and boiler technologies in Australia;
  • The EU Coal Research Program ECSC;
  • Use of imported coal in the EU;
  • Blast furnace iron-making - Experiences with Australian coal;
  • The use of European mining technology under Australian conditions;
  • The use of coal in steel generation and in power generation.
  • Visions for the future - towards closer co-operation between Australia and the EU.

The Speakers:
Senior European and Australian representatives from industry, politics and science focused on the commercial aspects of the coal trade, including identifying market opportunities for Australian coal in Europe. The Conference provides a key opportunity for participants to examine the current status and perspectives of European/Australian technical co-operation in the area of coal and power generation technology.

Who attended the Conference:

Board Members, Directors, senior managers and decision makers from

  • Industry,
  • Energy Management,
  • Financial Sector,
  • Energy Associations,
  • Consultancies,
  • Science,
  • Politics,
  • European, national and regional Governments,
  • Media.