AICoalS, Australian Institute for Coal Strategies, establishes a network between Australian university researchers in coal with other Universities and research organisations, in order to facilitate research and informed debate on technical strategies for future use of coal.

Australia faces a number of issues related to its own use of coal and also coal exports, which include

Universities have a particular role to play in addressing these issues. AICoalS initially involves Curtin University of Technology and the University of Newcastle. These Universities have complementary interests in coal research which, when combined, result in a comprehensive capability of significance at national and international levels.

The Institute will provide a vehicle for interaction with international organisations in coal research and will combine the coal capabilities of the two Universities, through the Curtin Centre of Fuels and Energy and the Newcastle Priority Research Centre on Energy, and provide a credible hub for national and international collaboration in clean coal technologies. The technical expertise of the Institute covers both coal conversion and utilisation. Curtin has particular technology expertise in coal conversion – coal to liquids and gas, gas extraction, and gas product processing, the University of Newcastle has particular expertise in coal utilisation – combustion and gasification. Both Universities have expertise in coal chemistry, the control of environmental impacts, including CO2 release and CO2 capture options in their conversion and utilisation specialties.

The Institute will arrange an annual lecture on strategies to address emerging issues in coal use, establish an honorary Fellowship to which only eminent coal scientists and technologist will be elected, and as well as conducting research projects . Professors Dong-ke Zhang of Curtin and Terry Wall of Newcastle will serve as the inaugural Co-Directors.

Contact information:

Professor Dong-ke Zhang FTSE Co-Director, AICoalS c/o Centre for Fuels and Energy Curtin University of Technology GPO Box U1987, Perth WA 6845 Australia Phone: +61 (8) 9266 1133 Fax: +61 (8) 9266 1138

Professor Terry Wall AM FTSE Co-Director, AICoalS c/o Priority Research Centre for Energy The University of Newcastle University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308 Australia Phone: +61 (2) 4921 6179 Fax: +61 (2) 4921 6920