ABSTRACT
The generation of electric power from fossil fuels has seen continuing, and in some cases dramatic,
technical advances over the last 20-30 years. Technology improvements in fossil fuel combustion have
been driven largely by the need to reduce emissions and conserve fossil fuel resources, as well as by the
economics of the competitive marketplace. The importance of fossil fuel-fired electric generation to
the world is undeniable-more than 70% of all power in the U.S. is fossil fuel-based; worldwide the
percentage is higher, and growing. Today, although most large power plants worldwide burn coal,
generating companies increasingly are turning to natural gas, particularly when the cost of gas-fired
generation and the long-term supply of gas appear favorable. This section reviews the current status and
likely future deployment of competing generation technologies based on fossil fuels.