Interview with Yao Qiang, Executive Vice Director of the Low Carbon Energy Laboratory at Tsinghua University

What is the background and process of the highly anticipated "Twelfth Five Year Plan for the Development of Clean Coal Technology" (hereinafter referred to as the "Plan"), and what is its guiding significance for enterprises? Recently, the reporter interviewed Yao Qiang, Executive Vice President of the Low Carbon Energy Laboratory at Tsinghua University, on these issues.

Reporter: What is the background of the preparation of the "Plan"?

Yao Qiang: Coal accounts for 75% of China's primary energy production and 70% of its consumption. As the main source of carbon dioxide in greenhouse gases, the environmental problems caused by coal have not been effectively controlled yet. The energy structure dominated by coal, with shortages of oil and natural gas, will not change in the short term. Therefore, adapting and changing this energy structure will inevitably become one of the core tasks of energy technology. Clean coal technology is of great significance in promoting energy structure optimization and security, promoting the development of strategic emerging industries, achieving efficient and clean utilization of coal, and promoting low-carbon economic and social development. It is an important field for sustainable energy development in China and an important direction for the development of advanced energy technology during the 12th Five Year Plan period. In this comprehensive context, the first systematic plan for clean coal technology in China has been introduced.

Reporter: Please introduce the process of preparing the "Plan".

  In May 2010, the preparation of the "Plan" was officially launched, and a planning drafting group consisting of experts from the 863 energy field, universities, research institutes, enterprises, and other peers was established; In August 2010, through extensive thematic research and discussions, the "Plan" (framework) was discussed and formed, and opinions from industry peers were solicited; In December 2010, based on the "Plan" and "Implementation Plan" (discussion draft), a special planning consultation and demonstration meeting was held and a special report was made to the Office of the Special Leadership Group, forming the "Special Plan" (draft for soliciting opinions); In June 2011, the Special Plan (draft for review) was completed and further revised and improved to form the current Plan.

Reporter: What are the characteristics of "Planning"?

Yao Qiang: The overall design of the "Plan" is quite good, serving reality effectively and having strong foresight. Based on the key development directions in recent years, combined with project approval and operational management mechanism reform, the Plan takes demonstration projects as the lead, key core technology development as the foundation, technology condensation and integrated innovation as the focus, and sorts out the key technological directions. The main content includes five parts: development status and situation, guiding ideology and development principles, key directions, key tasks, and guarantee measures. It deploys four key directions for clean coal, including efficient and clean coal-fired power generation, advanced coal conversion, advanced energy-saving technology, pollutant control, carbon dioxide capture and storage, and resource utilization technology. The key tasks are divided into three categories: key basic research, key core technology research and development, major technology integration, and industrial demonstration.

Reporter: What are the safeguard measures in the "Plan"?

Yao Qiang: There are three main safeguard measures. One is to strengthen research on energy technology strategies. During the 12th Five Year Plan period, it is necessary to prioritize research on energy technology strategies and launch special projects for implementation; At the same time, it is necessary to establish an objective and effective energy technology evaluation system, providing guarantees for timely adjustment and correction of project deployment direction, and objective and accurate inspection of results.

The second is to actively build a public energy technology platform. During the 12th Five Year Plan period, it is necessary to increase the construction of public technology research and development platforms in the following technical fields: high parameter ultra supercritical power generation technology research and development platforms, heavy-duty gas turbine development and overall testing platforms, coal based clean fuel new technology research and development, system energy efficiency evaluation platforms, and high-efficiency coal-fired industrial boiler island complete technology research and integration demonstration platforms.

The third is about system and mechanism innovation and guarantee. According to the spirit and deployment of the Ministry of Science and Technology on science and technology management reform, accelerate the reform of science and technology plan project management in the field of advanced energy technology. In response to the rapid development of clean coal technology and the high demand for technology during the 12th Five Year Plan period, we actively organize representative, comprehensive, and demonstrative major or key projects to provide support for sustained development during or after the 12th Five Year Plan period. In the deployment and implementation of the 12th Five Year Plan project, it is necessary to highlight the operability of project content, strengthen communication and coordination between departments, and adopt a step-by-step approach to project implementation.