3. Looking to the future

Solid fuels need to redouble their efforts if they are to shake off an excessively retrograde image and a reputation that takes little account of ecological considerations. The reliability and accuracy of measurements help to produce objective combustion balances, and the use of fuels selected for their efficiency in boilers and their absence of massive pollutant emissions is also a necessity.

Modern flue gas treatment equipment (reduction of NO _x by catalysis, SO _x by washing or lime neutralization, capture and filtration of fine particles) is effective. The capture and storage of CO ₂ has seen technological advances that are now coming up against financial blockages. The debate between supporters of "clean" coal and fully renewable...