Future Scenarios and Technology

Project 4.1 - Portfolio Options And Risk Assessment

Project Description
Operators of coal utilisation technologies often manage a portfolio of different technologies, both old and new, to optimize their market position or product mix and minimize risks associated with any particular technology.

This project will develop possible portfolio mixes of technology which minimize business exposure to carbon emissions, and look for opportunities to minimize other emissions by integrating industries in Energyplexes.

The project recognizes that as new, more efficient technologies become available it takes decades for old technologies to turn over and new technologies to achieve significant market penetration. An understanding of the elements which govern selection and timing of the right portfolio mix would be of benefit to an industry operating in a carbon constrained world. For example, including a zero carbon emission power station in a portfolio of conventional plants could have a greater impact on carbon emissions than replacing the conventional plants with more efficient IGCC. Would this approach have the desired economic outcome?

Where could such a plant be located? Would it be more appropriate to locate a new plant so as to allow an organization to access benefits via a Clean Development Mechanism or carbon trading? These are questions that would be addressed within this project.

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Project Leader:

Mr Peter Coombes

Mr Paul Wayne Graham

Current Publications

Technology Assessments Report

Research Reports

Facts Sheets