The report is a result of a $21 million research program which was undertaken in four years.

During the study, CSIRO found post-combustion carbon dioxide capture technology operated effectively under Australian conditions.

The technology is now technically available to the industry as part of the first stage in the carbon dioxide capture and storage chain.

The program was funded through the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate and supported by a grant from the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism.

The funds resulted in the establishment of two PCC plants at Delta Electricity’s Munmorah power station in New South Wales and Stanwell Corp’s Tarong power station in Queensland.

Demonstration plants have been set up in other countries but PCC has never been used at full scale and integrated with a coal-fired power plant.

The results showed the PCC technology was able to capture more than 85% of carbon dioxide from the power station flue gases along with other gases such as sulphur dioxide.

The technology, which can fitted to both new and existing power stations, also has flexible application according to changing consumer demand in the electricity market and can use renewable energy such as solar thermal as a power source

However the technology does bear challenges.

The main sticking point with PCC technology is the cost associated from additional capital investment and loss of efficiency at the power station, with the capture of 90% of carbon dioxide resulting in a 30% loss in power station efficiency.

However, according to CSIRO science leader Dr Paul Feron, the advantages of the technology far outweigh its challenges which he says can be overcome.

“While the cost imperative is important, once the technology is established, the costs of installing and operating a PCC system will fall substantially,” Feron said.

The technology could play an important role in Australia’s bid to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.

Australia is currently heavily reliant on coal, with the resource providing 80% of Australia’s electricity needs and approximately 40% of greenhouse gas emissions.

CSIRO is continuing development of PCC with the aim of capturing all emissions with no energy penalty or loss of efficiency at Australian power stations.