A Vision for the Future: Coal and Energy in Virginia Dr' Michael Karmis Director, Virginia Center fo

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A Vision for the Future Coal and Energy in
Virginia Dr. Michael Karmis Director,
Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research
(VCCER), andHead, Department of Mining and
Minerals Engineering (MinE)Virginia Tech Short
Course, SWVHEC, 8/15/2001
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Mining and Energy Industries and the NationThe
mining and energy sectors must prepare for the
challenges of a dramatically changing global
world . In order to face these challenges, the
development of innovative technologies will be an
essential ingredient. And, innovative
technologies and workforce demographics will also
demand new training programs, deliveries and
services.The Nation and the industry, at this
time, need to develop partnerships and the RD
necessary for such major innovations. This will
also require a substantial infusion of public and
private funds.
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A PARTNERSHIP PROPOSALEstablishing a Coal and
Energy Research, Training and Development Program

• Partners
• VCCER, Virginia Tech
• Educational Institutions and State Agencies
• The Coal and Energy Industries

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The Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research
(VCCER)(http//www.energy.vt.edu/index.html)

• Established by the General Assembly in 1977
• Interdisciplinary Education, Research
  Information - A Resource Facility for the
  Commonwealth
• Advisory Board Appointed by VTs Board of
  Visitors
• Director is Appointed for a 5-Year Term
• Center is Evaluated Every Three Years, According
• to SCHEV Guidelines
• Publications

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Accomplishments of VCCER

• Technology Development (e.g., mining systems,
  reclamation, gas recovery, health and safety)
• Interdisciplinary Research on Coal and Energy
  Issues (coal transportation, energy efficiency,
  socio-economic impacts)
• Dissemination of Coal and Energy Information
  (Directory, technical studies, web page)
• Public Policy Issues (coal tax credit, mining vs.
  water impacts, coke supply-demand)

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New VCCER Directions

• Optimization of fuel recovery, health and safety
  issues, public policy related to coal and energy,
  marketing and transportation of energy fuels,
  environmental impacts of recovery and
  utilization, regulatory impacts and deregulation,
  consumer energy information, regional economic
  impacts, international development, education and
  training, regional economic development

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EXAMPLE 1Green Energy Cycle

• Using coalbed methane as the fuel source for
  hydrogen powered fuel cells to generate
  electricity for distributed power applications
• Capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the fuel cell
  circuit and sequestering it in unmineable coal
  seams as a geologic sink
• Enhancing coalbed methane production from the
  sequestration of CO2 and closing the loop to this
  Green Energy Cycle

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Power to Market
Natural Gas
Carbon Dioxide
Fuel Cell Circuit
CO2
CH4
Geologic Sink for CO2 Enhanced CH4 production
UNMINEABLE COAL SEAM
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Carbon Sequestration Using a CO2 - CH4
Interchange

• The majority of methane in coal seams is loosely
  bonded to the coal, rather than being in a form
  of a compressed gas
• CO2 has a 2 times greater natural affinity to
  adsorb onto the coal/carbon structure than CH4
• Injecting CO2 under controlled conditions could
  displace the methane, while sequestering the CO2
  without causing flow through of carbon dioxide

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Research Partners

• The Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research
  (VCCER) of Virginia Tech
• The Mining Engineering Department (MinE) of
  Virginia Tech
• The Chemical Engineering Department (ChE) of the
  University of Virginia
• Institute for Environmental and Energy Studies
  (IEES) of Virginia Tech
• Energy Management Institute (EMI) of Virginia
  Tech

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Industry Partners Include

• Pocahontas Gas Partnership
• Joint venture under CONSOL Energy and CONOCO Inc.
• Pittston Coal
• VCEDA
• Dominion Resources, Inc.
• American Electric Power
• National Energy Resources Corporation

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A Global View VCCER Program in Alexandria, VA
(ARI)

• Strategic
• Political
• Expand Blacksburg Capabilities
• Honest Broker
• Education/Training
• Access to Sponsored Projects
• Assist VA Export Sector

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A Global View International Programs at
ARI/Blacksburg

• VTs Mission, Interests and Contacts
• Funding Opportunities
• Distribution of Natural Resources
• Energy Planning in Developing Nations
• Global Nature of Mining and Energy
• Virginia World Trade
• Educational/Extension Opportunities

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Areas for Developing International Opportunities

• Educational and Technology Transfer Between the
  U.S. and Developing Countries
• Types of Programs
• Health and Safety Legislation and Training
• Mineral Processing and Coal Preparation
• Energy Planning
• Environmental Issues
• Methods
• Virtual Reality Applications
• Training Using Multimedia
• Technology Transfer Through the Web
• Exchange Programs

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A Global View An Appalachian (Regional) Virtual
Reality Research and Training Center

• Campus/Field Locations
• Potential Customers
• Education/Training
• Worker Demographics
• Economic Development
• International Links (Britain, Australia, Africa,
  S. America)

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VCCER in SW Virginia

• Opportunities
• Economic Development Role
• Presence and Visibility
• Public Education
• Economic Development
• Strong Local Constituency
• Location Higher Education Center, Abingdon, VA

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Partnership Vision of the VCCER - Mine
SWVA
ARI - D.C.
Production Support Technology Transfer/Training Ec
onomic Development
National Policy International Development Regulato
ry Issues
VCCER
Blacksburg
International
Energy Policy HS Training Industry/Consumer
Support
Research Development Energy Statistics
Support Education
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Partnership Immediate Goals

• Develop Research Agenda and Programs
• Establish a Virtual Reality Facility
• Expand Economic Development Role
• Education and Training Programs
• Participate in Energy Consumer Support
• Establish Regional Centers
• Develop Federal Funded Projects
• Generate Industry Sponsored Activities
• Explore International Opportunities

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Partnership Long Term Goals

• Optimize Exploitation
• Minimize Health and Safety
• Technological Development
• Environmental Constraints
• Energy Planning
• Distributed Power Opportunities
• Education/Training
• Alternative Markets/Uses
• Economic Development
• International Co-operation
• Public Policy

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Current Funding Initiatives

• State Initiative
• Research
• Technology Transfer
• Economic Development Support
• Energy Consumer Institute
• Industry/Federal Support
• Technology Development
• VR Technology
• Joint Projects/ Matching Funding
• Foundation Contributions

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Contributions of Economic Development Prospects

• Access to Coal and Energy RD
• Development of Specialized Training Programs
• Partnership for Major Federal Research Funding
• Continuous Education and Professional Development
• Recruitment and Human Resources
• International Opportunities
• Access to Public Education Opportunities
• Input on Public (Energy) Policy

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MEETING THE COAL AND ENERGY CHALLENGES
Establishing a Coal and Energy Research,
Training and Development Program A VT (VCCER)/
Industry/Government Partnership for Technology,
Education, Policy and Manpower Development
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SHORT COURSE 1"Coal and Energy in Southwest
Virginia and Central Appalachia -Reserves,
Production and Energy Planning"

• August 15, 2001
• Southwest VirginiaHigher Education Center,
  Abingdon, Virginia

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Reserves are not, they become.- Zimmerman,
1933