Solid Energy has successfully started up its $22 million Underground Coal Gasification Pilot Plant near Huntly in the Waikato. The plant is now producing synthetic gas from coal.
The company believes it is the first in the world to access energy from a single coal field using four different technologies: underground mining, opencast mining, coal seam gas (CSG) and underground coal gasification (UCG).
UCG can access energy from deep coal seams that are uneconomic using conventional mining technology and, compared to conventional mining, has significantly reduced environmental impacts and safety risks. While UCG was first developed 70 years ago, only three locations in the world are currently producing synthetic gas, also known as syngas, from UCG. Syngas can be used to generate electricity or be converted into high-value products like fertiliser, plastics, methanol, waxes and detergents.
UCG is one of a suite of energy technologies being developed and commercialised by Solid Energy. The company is already producing wood pellets, biofuels and CSG and its lignite briquetting plant in Mataura is nearing the end of construction.
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