The role of open innovation in development of futuristic technologies for carbon capture in coal-fired power plants: An academic perspective

Asad H. Sahir, Jo Ann S. Lighty, Lyda Bigelow

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Coal is an important fossil fuel resource for electricity generation which also contributes to significant CO2 emissions. The process of capturing carbon dioxide for utilization and sequestration is an important area of research in this domain. Academia-industry collaborations are playing a significant role in the development of Oxy-fired combustion (OFC) and Chemical - looping Combustion (CLC), two technologies under consideration for burning coal in a primarily oxygenated environment to obtain a pure stream of CO 2. Although OFC and CLC have different technological pathways, they have similarities in their historical development from a laboratory scale to pilot scale. Universities, in collaboration with industry, are continuing to play an important role in the development of these technologies to the pilot scale. Thus OFC and CLC could be visualized as one of the example technological platforms where 'open innovation' is being practiced in the development of carbon capture technologies. Facilitating collaboration in the pursuit of solutions to technologically complex problems can produce benefits such as decreased development time and costs. This paper will discuss the possible pathways which these technologies could undertake based on studies of power plant technologies, environment regulation technology components, and will derive insights from contemporary strategy and innovation literature. The possible challenges expected for carbon capture technologies through the open innovation model in terms of market economics, scale, and technology-enabling legislation which have the potential to frame future scenarios are also highlighted.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAIChE 2012 - 2012 AIChE Annual Meeting, Conference Proceedings
StatePublished - 2012
Event2012 AIChE Annual Meeting, AIChE 2012 - Pittsburgh, PA, United States
Duration: 28 Oct 20122 Nov 2012

Publication series

NameAIChE Annual Meeting, Conference Proceedings

Conference

Conference2012 AIChE Annual Meeting, AIChE 2012
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityPittsburgh, PA
Period28/10/122/11/12

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