Assumption 6: Increasing power plant efficiency and storing CO2
Die Conventional fossil fuels will continue to be the backbone of the electricity supply until 2030 and are unlikely to be overtaken by renewables in terms of their importance until the middle of this century. Therefore, it is essential that we use conventional primary energy sources as efficiently as possible while minimising the associated environmental impacts, separating the resulting CO2 and storing it underground.
Conventional fossil fuels, such as nuclear and coal power plants, will continue to be the mainstays of the electricity production until the year 2030 and beyond. Research is under way across the globe into how we can use these energy sources to produce power while greatly reducing CO2 emissions. However, even highly efficient fossil-fuelled power plants emit CO2. The discussion is currently focussed on possible approaches for separating CO2 and storing it safely over a long period of time.