Coal mining has always been plagued by the constant risk of gas explosions. A risk that was predominantly caused by the presence of methane gas (CH4) in the mine.
However recent years have proved that from being just a mining hazard or a harmful emission, methane gas can now be considered as a valuable resource in its own right. Deregulation of energy markets and changes to the oil and gas exploration licensing regime have opened up the potential to utilise Coal Bed Methane (CBM) and Coal Mine Methane (CMM) to fuel small scale 'embedded' generators.
There are over 900 closed deep mines in the UK alone from which it is estimated that a minimum of 300,000 tonnes of methane gas is seeping into the atmosphere. It is also widely acknowledged that Coal Bed Methane (CBM) can provide a valuable source of clean energy. Preventing the unnecessary emissions of methane gas helps towards both Kyoto and EU greenhouse gas abatement commitments, since methane is around 21 times more harmful as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. So, the benefits of turning mines gas from a pollutant into a resource are both environmental and financial.
For more information on generation from mines gas please contact ENER·G Natural Power