IGCC
Integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) technology increases efficiency by using two turbines to generate electricity instead of one. Coal is superheated to a gaseous state, or gasified, and fed through a combustion turbine, which works similar to a jet engine. The exhaust from that turbine is hot enough to power a second turbine which runs on steam.
Conventional or “traditional” coal plants simply use a steam turbine. The exhaust from that turbine is hot, but not hot enough to power a second turbine like IGCC facilities can. Traditional plants are about 35% energy efficient. Today’s IGCC facilities are closer to 50% efficient, and could reach nearly 80% as the technology improves.
