Overview of coal energy utilization technology in Japan

There has been some hesitation about revived use of coal in Japan because traditional thinking has concluded that conventional coal handling is extremely inconvenient. However, considerabe progress has occurred compared to ten years ago due to improvements in cleaning technology, development of solid fuel handling, transportation technology and storage tanks. Long term technologies are expected to make further progress above and beyond those expected from short-term technologies. Therefore, expansion of coal utilization can be expected at a proper place and at a proper time. The question of the appropriate role of coal, including questions related to the quantity of coal required for the future, coal has been treated unclearly because coal has been considered so far as a supplementary backup to major energy programs such as nuclear energy, LNG or energy conservation. Coal energy (including coking coke) is now 15.5% of the total energy consumption and, assuming the same proportion prevails, in 2000 the total consumption of coal will be approximately 300 million tons. Diversification of current technologies will be definitely required for consumption of such large quantities of coal. Technology assessment is included in the plans taken up by MITI's (Ministry of International Trade and Industry) Sunshine Projects (1974more » approx. 1978). In order to develop coal mines in overseas countries, investment funds as high as that for construction of coal-firing power stations will be required for constrction of the needed infrastructures. Government subsidies are expected from the financial standpoint. In the past R and D funds have not been sufficient to develop new technologies for coal utilization but it is hoped that the future will be brighter owing to the recognization of coal's importance.« less