Coal news and updates

Southland coal has potential as next generation technology

Carbon extracted from Southland coal could be used to produce next-generation electric vehicle batteries and earthquake proof buildings under new research and development from the New Zealand Institute for Minerals to Materials Research.

NZIMMR science and research chief officer Paul Hoskin said development undertaken by the institute would form an important part of New Zealand’s transition away from fossil fuel powered energy.

“The current conversation is stripped back, so the public can understand it, but what’s missing is that burning coal is bad, because when you burn coal that produces CO2 and greenhouses gases,” he said.

“But when you use the coal and not burn it, you can then take the carbon out and use it as electrodes for electric vehicle batteries, or aeroplane brakes, or carbon fibre for just about anything.”