Breakthroughs in Energy Alternatives Highlight 2006 Gasification Technologies Conference

Clean, Efficient Technology Used To Produce Chemicals, Fuels and

Power

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Advances in alternative

technologies to generate electricity and to produce natural gas and

clean-burning motor fuels are among the highlights of the

Gasification Technologies Council's annual conference, which began

today in Washington, D.C.

Gasification Technologies 2006 brought together some 900 industry

leaders, policymakers and investors from around the world to discuss

energy alternatives. A panel discussion with John D. Hofmeister,

president, Shell Oil Company; Randy H. Zwirn, president and CEO,

Siemens Power Generation, Inc.; Gregory Boyce, president and CEO,

Peabody Energy; and Honorable Michael L. Williams, commissioner,

Texas Railroad Commission, kicked off the conference.

Gasification converts low-value carbon-containing materials such as

coal, petroleum residues and biomass to clean synthesis gas (syngas)

for the production of chemicals, fuels, and power. It has been in

commercial use since the 1950s, but current energy concerns have

generated increased interest in the technology.

"The technology is available now, and provides a clear path to power,

fuels and chemicals that do not rely on the volatile oil and natural

gas markets," said James M. Childress, executive director of the

Gasification Technologies Council. "Major investments are being made

in gasification-based plants in the U.S. and around the world as new

markets for syngas are being opened by high oil and natural gas

prices. This conference has brought together the critical decision-

makers from industry who are working to enhance the availability of

these viable energy alternatives."

Session speakers also focused on the importance of Canada and China

in gasification projects and new technological developments aimed at

further reducing CO2 emissions.

"Gasification-based power plants have much lower air emissions than

coal combustion-based plants and provide a lower cost pathway to CO2

capture if required," said Childress.

More than 20 plants are currently operating in the U.S. and more than

double that number are in the planning stage. Worldwide, some 120

gasification-based plants are in operation.

The Gasification Technologies Council (GTC) was created in 1995 to

promote a better understanding of the role gasification can play in

providing the power, chemical and refining industries with

economically competitive technology options to produce electricity,

fuels and chemicals in an environmentally superior manner.

The Council's sixty-six member companies include technology and

equipment providers, engineering & construction firms, and major

customers in the power, chemicals and fuels industries in the U.S.,

Europe, Asia and Africa.

More information on gasification technology, as well as the full

conference program, is available at http://www.gasification.org/.

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