Coal and other fossil fuels remain a major global energy source, with technologies such as Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle widely used in coal power generation. However, these systems typically convert only about 45% of energy and emit more than 800 grams of carbon dioxide per kilowatt-hour, China Daily reported.

A new system, developed by Xie Heping, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and a professor at Shenzhen University, and his team, converts the chemical energy in coal directly into electricity through a reaction known as electrochemical oxidation, avoiding traditional combustion.

Smoke come out from chimneys. Illustration from Pexels

In the system coal is first ground into a fine powder, cleaned, and prepared before being fed into a chamber inside the device.

Oxygen is then added, triggering a chemical reaction that allows the coal to produce electricity directly, without the need for steam or spinning turbines.

At the same time, the carbon dioxide produced is captured immediately and converted into useful materials such as industrial gases or compounds used in manufacturing.

The entire process operates quietly and produces minimal pollution, according to the South China Morning Post.

Since 2018, Xie’s team has worked to improve the technology, addressing challenges related to materials, durability, fuel preparation, and continuous coal supply.

Xie said the system could also be used in deep coal seams located about 2 kilometers underground, where extraction is currently too costly. In such cases, coal could be converted into electricity on site, with only power transmitted to the surface.

This approach could help ease pressure as easily accessible coal reserves decline. However, he noted that scaling the technology from laboratory research to widespread commercial use would require time and careful cost planning, adding that it is unlikely to be cost-competitive before 2045.