This 11-partner European collaboration aimed to increase the efficiency of existing and new build coal-fired power plants by demonstrating advanced materials and coatings technologies.

Key facts

    • The 鈧�10.3 million project was a five-year European collaboration called NextGenPower.

    • Greater efficiency necessitates higher temperatures and pressures in the boiler, steam turbine and interconnecting pipework. 

    • Candidate alloys and coatings for use in advanced combustion and steam environments were tested in our laboratory and pilot-scale facilities.

  • Funded by European Commission鈥檚 Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) which contributed 鈧�6 million to the project.

Impact of our research

We and our NextGenPower project partners evaluated alloys and coatings that could be used to construct new more efficient coal-fired plant, or to upgrade existing plant. Our innovative research, using our own specialist facilities and assessment techniques, has widened the knowledge base for materials exposed to these advanced combustion and steam conditions. This should significantly contribute the reduction of emissions from pulverised coal-fired power plants, enabling greater efficiency and the implementation of carbon capture and storage systems.