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Converting Coal Power Plants to Nuclear Gains Steam

Cars That Think

On a planet aspiring to become carbon neutral, the once-stalwart coal power plant is an emerging anachronism. It is true that, in much of the developing world, coal-fired capacity continues to grow. But in every corner of the globe, political and financial pressures are mounting to bury coal in the past.

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Sustainable Rail International, U of Minnesota partner to develop most powerful carbon-neutral locomotive, using new steam engine and biocoal

Green Car Congress

Biocoal exhibits the same energy density and material handling properties as coal, but unlike coal, it is carbon-neutral, contains no heavy metals, and produces less ash, smoke and volatile off-gases. CSR plans to break the world record for steam locomotive speed, reaching 130 mph (209 km/h).

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Comparative genome study finds ancestral fungus may have influenced end of coal formation; potential resource for biofuel production

Green Car Congress

Robert Blanchette, University of Minnesota) Click to enlarge. Coal deposits—the fossilized remains of plants—were formed during a 60-million year period from around 360 to 300 million years ago. Once you have white rot you can break down lignin, the major precursor of coal. Punctularia strigoso-zonata.

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Another study confirms electric cars have lower carbon emissions, in Minnesota this time

Green Car Reports

In North America, an electric car charged on even the dirtiest, most coal-intensive electric grid in the nation. It's a very reasonable question: electric cars themselves have no tailpipe emissions, but what about the power plants used to recharge them?

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DOE Regional Partnership Initiates CO2 Injection in Lignite Coal Seam

Green Car Congress

A US Department of Energy/National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) team of regional partners has begun injecting CO 2 into a deep lignite coal seam in Burke County, North Dakota, to demonstrate the economic and environmental viability of geologic CO 2 storage in the US Great Plains region.

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DOE awards $35M to 12 ARPA-E projects to reduce methane emissions; 5 on natural gas engines

Green Car Congress

The US Department of Energy (DOE) announced $35 million in funding for twelve projects focused on developing technologies to reduce methane emissions in the oil, gas, and coal industries. University of Minnesota will use plasma-assisted combustion to enhance flare methane destruction efficiency. Methane from Coal Mine Shafts.

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Why Schools Should Electrify Their Bus Fleets

Blink Charging

If an EV is charged with electricity that is produced by burning fossil fuel such as coal or natural gas, there are still greenhouse gas emissions associated with running the vehicle. Sourcewell, a Minnesota-based agency, has pre-vetted and pre-negotiated competitive pricing for electric vehicle charging stations and services.

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