Current Funding Round

Research Focus

The focus in this program is to undertake research that has demonstrable potential to REDUCE the INVESTMENT RISK for commercial scale low emissions coal technology projects.

This may be achieved by research that targets:

• A step-change reduction in the cost of deployment of currently conceived LECT flow sheets
• A significant reduction to the investment risks of LECT deployment proponents

Successful research proposals targeting cost and risk reduction in 2nd to nth generation plant will have provided a clear, concise and quantitative assessment of potential investment savings and benefits when compared with the published techno-economics of 1st generation LECT power generation flow-sheets.

Cost Reduction:
If the cost of electricity from low emission coal technologies (LECT’s) is to be significantly reduced, large reductions (> 50%) in both capital and operating costs will be necessary. Truly large reductions in process costs will originate from innovative ‘new’ and/or unconventional processes; as opposed to making incremental improvements on existing hardware. Applicants should demonstrate a knowledge of the cost components that comprise the low emissions power generation process and identify those costs targeted for reduction by their research.

Risk Reduction:
For emerging LECT options such as sub-surface storage of CO₂, the investment necessary and risks associated with the resource discovery, characterisation and management of longer term liability are significant and mostly incurred in the very early phase of a project development life cycle. Research that mitigates these costs can have significant implications for the viability and returns on investment for LECT deployment. In this context risk analysis, CO₂ monitoring and containment verification research is also included.

Short desktop studies that seek to interrogate the scope and credibility of emergent innovative ideas are encouraged. These could address issues such as water consumption and disposal, understanding acceptable gas quality with respect to subsurface storage, renewable synergies for coal systems etc.

Guidelines for Applicants

Click here to download detailed Guidelines for an Expression of Interest.

Expressions of Interest must be submitted on the ANLEC R&D form which
can be downloaded here.

Budgeting

The expression of interest template requires a broad estimate of the proposed research effort and expenditure envisaged. In this round ANLEC R&D does not choose to impose a minimum funding level on prospective projects. An indicative maximum cash funding level for a research project in this round will be $1 million. Applicants should note that research proposals are invited to a competitive process where the maximum commitment available in this program is $5 million.

ANLEC R&D is seeking projects that offer high value for the contribution ANLEC R&D has made to the total cost of the R&D Project.

• Projects are required to have minimum 1:1 in matching contributions, noting though that value-for-money will remain an assessment criterion.
• Proponents’ contribution to the total cost of the project can comprise cash and/or ‘in-kind’ components in order not to disadvantage academic, CSIRO and small-medium enterprises whose primary contribution to projects will be provision of ‘in-kind’ people, facility and equipment resources.