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Development of Technologies for Carbon Recycling and Next-Generation Thermal Power Generation

Project overview

Project period: FY2016 to FY2029, budget: 13.84 billion yen (FY2025)

In this project, NEDO is working on innovative next-generation thermal power generation technologies that will contribute to a significant reduction in CO2 emissions. NEDO is also promoting the development of technologies for low-cost separation and recovery of CO2 emitted through industrial activities, and carbon recycling in which CO2 is regarded as a carbon resource and recycled as a variety of carbon compounds. Through these technological developments, NEDO aims to realize a carbon-neutral society.

  • Photo of The Osaki Power Plant, R&D and Demonstration Base for Carbon Recycling
    The Osaki Power Plant, R&D and Demonstration Base for Carbon Recycling

(1) Demonstration of integrated coal gasification fuel cell combined cycle

As a technological development in CO2 separation and recovery coal gasification fuel cells combined cycle power generation, which can significantly reduce CO2 emissions from coal-fired power generation, NEDO is working on the development of technologies that contribute to improving coordination capacity and gas turbine element technology to cope with load fluctuations in CO2 separation and recovery facilities.

Brief diagram representing the contents of the text in (1)

Brief diagram of technology development for dealing with output fluctuations to balance supply

(2) Development of thermal power generation load fluctuation response technologies

To support the instantaneous and continuous decline in power generation due to the massive introduction of renewable energy, NEDO is working on the development of technologies for thermal power generation that are highly mobile and improve efficiency at low loads, as well as maintenance technologies such as fault prediction and service life prediction for operations that respond to excessive load fluctuations.

Brief diagram representing the text in (3)

Image of electricity supply and demand
(Source: Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, "Toward the Massive Introduction of Renewable Energies: 'Grid Constraint' Issues and Countermeasures")

(3) Development of a polygeneration system for capturing CO2

NEDO will conduct the development of a polygeneration system for capturing CO2 using biomass and waste as feedstock, which is characterized by the separation and recovery of CO2 as well as the co-production of electricity and valuable resources such as chemical substances. This system will reduce CO2 emissions and the cost of recovered CO2 through the economic benefits of valuable resources.

Brief diagram representing the text in (4)

Brief diagram of a polygeneration system for capturing CO2

(4) Promotion of measures to reduce environmental impacts associated with coal utilization

In order to reduce the environmental impact of coal use, NEDO will develop technologies to expand and reduce the use of combustion ash from coal and other materials. In addition, it will develop technologies to clarify the causes of natural heat generation in coal and compile knowledge on guidelines for coal management.

Short fibers for reinforcing concrete made from coal ash and magnified image of its long fibers

Short fibers for reinforcing concrete made from coal ash and magnified image of its long fibers
(Courtesy of Nippon Fiber Corporation KK)

(5) R&D of CO2 separation/capture technologies

For CO2 separation and recovery technologies, it is important to select the appropriate technologies according to the CO2 emission source and the CO2 user. NEDO will conduct research and development on the practical application of solid absorption and membrane separation methods, which are expected to save energy and reduce costs, including separation material development, process studies, and demonstration tests.

Photo of CO2 solid absorber plant

CO2 solid absorber plant
Location: Maizuru Power Station, Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc ;
Test scale: 40 t-CO2/d
(Courtesy of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.)

(6) Development of technologies for CO2 Utilization at the R&D and demonstration base

In order to realize early commercialization of carbon recycling technology that effectively utilizes CO2 as a resource, the R&D and Demonstration Base for Carbon Recycling will be established in the Osaki Power Plant of Chugoku Electric Power Co. Inc. on Osaki Kamijima, where various carbon recycling technologies will be researched and developed.

Photo of Common Use Building and Research Building in R&D and Demonstration Base for Carbon Recycling

Research Building (Left) and Common Use BUilding (Right)
(Courtesy of JAPAN CARBON FRONTIER ORGANIZATION)

(7) Research of Carbon Recycling and Next-Generation Thermal Power Implementation

To promote the social implementation of carbon recycling, NEDO is exploring the development of a CO2 supply chain through inter-industry collaboration that connects CO2 emitters with users, aiming to reduce emissions across entire regions. In addition, NEDO conducts studies on the dissemination potential of the latest technologies in the fields of domestic and international thermal power generation and carbon recycling, as well as on trends in technological development and the identification of emerging technologies. By evaluating the feasibility of technology adoption and clarifying associated challenges, NEDO aims to accelerate the social implementation of carbon recycling.

Overview of Carbon Recycling

Brief diagram of inter-industry collaboration
(Source: Compiled by NEDO based on the Ministry of Economy,
Trade and Industry's "Carbon Recycling Roadmap")

(8) Development of Technologies for CO2 Reduction and Utilization

Based on the Carbon Recycling Roadmap, NEDO will conduct research and development related to technologies for synthesizing chemicals, liquid fuels, and gaseous fuels from CO2 and for immobilizing CO2 into concrete, cement, carbonate, carbon, and carbides in order to reduce CO2 emissions into the atmosphere.

Overview of Carbon Recycling

Carbon Recycling
(Source: Compiled by NEDO based on the Ministry of Economy,
Trade and Industry's "Carbon Recycling Roadmap")

Basic information

Technical field
  • Clean coal
Project code P16002
Department in charge
  • Circular Economy Department (TEL: +81-44-520-5250)

Last Updated : June 20, 2025