At Harvard, public policy essential to clean coal technology

At Harvard University’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, clean coal research isn’t just about perfecting the science behind the technology – it’s also about understanding the broader role it plays in improving the human condition.

Creating effective public policy is one way to ensure that our technological developments are being used to its full potential – and the Belfer Center is home to two programs specifically focused on that.

The Science, Technology and Public Policy program addresses the societal concerns and consequences that result from advancements in scientific innovation, including economic and social development and international relations.

And the Energy Technology Innovation Policy research project investigates the “patterns and processes” of technologies such as advanced coal and carbon capture and storage in China, India and the United States.

Take a look at some of the discussion papers the programs have published on international and domestic energy policy just this past year:

•Proposed Roadmap for Overcoming Legal and Financial Obstacles to Carbon Capture and Storage This study states proposals for carbon capture and storage plants need to include a long-term outlook to make them a reality.

•Driving Carbon Capture and Storage Forward in China This study calculates the impact that clean coal technology could have on China’s carbon dioxide emissions by 2030.

•Realistic Costs of Carbon Capture This paper discusses ways to mitigate uncertainties in costs to finance clean coal plants.

•Optimal Spatial Deployment of Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage Given a Price on Carbon Dioxide This article offers a mathematical model to help minimize the cost of commercial deployment.

As you can see, Belfer Center academics are serious about doing the groundwork to accommodate clean coal technologies on the commercial scale. So be sure to show your support by becoming a fan of Harvard University on Facebook.