On Tuesday, President Obama hosted the second White House Science fair, celebrating students with outstanding science, technology, engineering, and math projects. As students and scientists across the country are introducing new or different technological methods in their fields, innovation is also key in developing a successful energy portfolio for the United States.

Clean coal technology allows power plants to use America’s most dominant resource while increasing the operational efficiency and reducing emissions. The science is complex, but worth the work.

Just take a look at the Texas Clean Energy Project—a plant that when it’s completed, will be one of the cleanest coal-fueled power plant in the world. CPS Energy, a utility in San Antonio, has already agreed to purchase approximately 200 megawatts of power from this plant—that’s going to impact thousands of home who will receive affordable, stable power from this coal plant. And, on top of that, the plant will be receiving $450 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Coal Power Initiative.

Innovation is essential in developing these new techniques to better use our energy resources. Click on the diagram below to learn more about clean coal technology.