Commercialization strategy report for medium Btu gasification

The following summary conclusions can be made with respect to the Readiness Assessment of low Btu gasification: Gasifiers and components are commercially available now. In the industrial sector, the number of individual potential users for low Btu gas is large; potential users are small users scattered all over the country in numerous industrial applications. In the utility sector, low Btu gas, with the development of advanced gasification systems and combined cycle systems, can provide an environmentally acceptable and competitive substitute to natural gas and fuel oil. Low Btu gasification is a near-term and viable technology. Cleaned low Btu gas is one of the best options available to a small user in a non-attainment area considering expansion, new facilities, or conversion to a coal base fuel. There are no significant environmental or institutional problems anticipated. The Federal government's role in commercialization of low Btu gasification is limited to support of the first commercial plants to be built and to the dissemination of data to both the industry and the public. For the first few plants there will be a need to protect those taking a risk against national policy changing on environmental standards and fuel pricing (not utilizing cheaper available fuels).more » Also, several commercial demonstrations with clean-up and in specific applications are needed. This could be accomplished by cost-sharing, tax incentives, or repayable grants and credits. Total cost to the government is relatively small in comparison to other technologies.« less