Top U.S. and international scientists, technology developers, and business leaders will gather in Pittsburgh this fall to discuss the role of science and business in bringing advanced clean coal technologies to market.

In a new series of sessions at the International Pittsburgh Coal Conference, NETL has assembled a diverse panel of experts in applied energy technology deployment, energy policy, investment and financing, and risk management and insurance.

The series, titled Major Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Demonstration Projects, will address two sides of large-scale clean coal technology (CCT) projects. In six technical sessions, speakers will review the status of current U.S. and international demonstration projects. In three business sessions, presenters will talk about the financing of CCS and other CCT projects, as well as investment and risk management strategies.

Hear from Tom: What is IPCC, and what role is NETL playing in Major CCS Demonstrations Projects?      

NETL’s Tom Sarkus, session co-chair, recently spoke about the importance of Major CCS Demonstration Projects and the value it brings to IPCC participants. In the short video clips presented here, Tom talks about how the series will bring together the finance and scientific communities and what conference participants will gain by attending. In addition, he outlines how collaboration among researchers, project developers, and investors can help ensure the success of major energy technology demonstrations and the commercialization of energy advancements.

Internationally recognized keynote speakers will discuss opportunities and challenges in today’s coal and power market—

  Hear from Tom: Can you tell us more about the speakers who will present?    

• Charles McConnell, Chief Operating Officer, DOE Office of Fossil Energy
• Thomas Bonner, President, Cogentrix Energy
• Steve Herman, Managing Director, Energy Capital Partners
• Steve Orlins, President, National Committee on U.S.-China Relations

Participants who will benefit from attending include—

• Scientific and technical professionals interested in understanding how large-scale demonstration projects are funded
• Hear from Tom: Who will benefit from attending?        Technical professionals and developers interested in learning how the business community evaluates energy and power opportunities, as well as licensing and project funding opportunities
• Executives and financial and investment professionals from the energy, power, mining, and chemical industries interested in clean coal technologies and potential areas for investment
• Entrepreneurs within the coal and power sector seeking to learn about trends in policy, technology, investment, and risk management
• International investors and researchers interested in U.S. clean coal technology advancements and project development opportunities       Hear from Tom: Will the international community be represented in the sessions?

Why address business issues at an energy technology conference?

Major technology demonstration projects can, and often do, fail because developers lack adequate financial support. Attracting financing for large industrial and power projects that rely on innovative technologies such as carbon capture is always challenging—particularly in today’s tight credit markets.

Hear from Tom: How is this session different from what IPCC and NETL have offered before?      

Projects are more likely to succeed when the business and research communities work together effectively. Major CCS Demonstration Projects will provide a platform for discussion about these issues.

Business sessions will address financial and investment strategies for the development of energy and power technologies, as well as risk management solutions for energy projects and coal-based power generation. Technical sessions will center on major demonstration programs being conducted by DOE and others related to coal-based power technologies, including CCS, low-grade coal utilization, advanced gasification and combustion systems, FutureGen 2.0, and syngas clean-up and utilization.

  Hear from Tom: What challenges will the sessions address?     Hear from Tom: Can you tell us more about the demonstration projects that will be discussed?      

For more information

IPCC is co-hosted by the University of Pittsburgh’s Swanson School of Engineering and NETL. The conference will be held September 12–15, 2011, at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

For more information about Major CCS Demonstration Projects, contact co-chairs Tom Sarkus (thomas.sarkus@netl.doe.gov) and Gary Stiegel (gary.stiegel@netl.doe.gov).  

For registration and other information about IPCC, visit the conference website at www.engr.pitt.edu/pcc.

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Contact:

•  FE Office of Communications, 202-586-6503

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