Second International Conference on Clean Coal Technologies for our future Cagliari, 10-12May 2005 Coal Technologies R&D, a key for enhancing Power Generation in Italy F. Bregani CESI, BU Power Generation Via R. Rubattino 54; 20134 Milano (Italy) Phone: +39.02.2125.4799; fax : +39.02.2125.5021: email: bregani@cesi.it Coal accounted about 13% of power generation in Italy in 2003. After reduction at the end of last century, a slight increase in coal utilisation signed the last five years. Even if future scenarios are based on natural gas, coal is expected to continue this favourable trend during next years. In 2000, along with the liberalisation process, a fund has been established (see Industry Ministry Decree 26/01/2000) to support general interest R&D activities oriented to the technological innovation of the Italian Electricity System. In this context, CESI started research projects focused on coal technologies, aiming to demonstrat, at first, that a sustainable use of coal in power generation is surely possible and, consequently, that it can be beneficial for the entire Italian Electricity System, mainly in terms of reduction of the cost of electricity to final end users. Research items are: – systems nad methods to increase coal fired power plant efficiency; – innovative tools to enhance availability of critical power plant components; – advanced technologies for emission controls, and to mimimise liquid discharge; – assessment of advanced conversion cycles: ultra-super-critical, IGCC and EFCC; – CO2 free power plant; – co-production of electricity anc hydrogen from coal. Researches are usually carried out in cooperation with other Research organisations (Universities in particular) as well as with technical support of utilities and manufacturers. This paper outilines the CESI research activities (both concluded and still in progress) ad focus on available results now ready for application, such as: – innovative monitoring systems for coal combustion optimisation; – tools for non desctructive control of turbine rotors; – correlation between different coals and pollutants; – plant configuration for zero liquid discharge Recent literature 1) F. Bregani, Il carbone pulito: un elemento per lo sviluppo sostenibile, Rivista AEI, Volume 91, Settembre 2004 2) F. Bregani, Le ricerche sul carbone per il sistema elettrico nel Convegno l’opzione carbone nel sistema elettrico italiano, Milano, 11 Ottobre 2004 PUBBLICATO A5009153 (PAD – 623228)PUBBLICATO A5009153 (PAD – 623228)