Conventional energy

Coal, oil and gas as energy sources are today a key part of a reliable and base-loadable power supply. They will continue to play an important role in future in a balanced energy mix. Conventional power stations would have to compensate the output lost by the planned phaseout of nuclear power. Since the combustion of coal, oil and gas releases carbon dioxide, the increased use of conventional power stations would lead to a rise in emissions of the climate-killer CO2.

One of EnBW's primary goals is thus to improve the efficiency of its plants so that it has to use fewer energy sources and can simultaneously reduce emissions. The coal-fired power stations of EnBW have been amongst the most up-to-date in Europe for many years.

Conventional energy at EnBW in figures:

• 10 coal-fired power stations
• with an installed output of 6,579 MW

RDK 8 – our new hard coal unit in Karlsruhe

We pledge our allegiance to our home region with our new building project in Karlsruhe's Rheinhafen. The ultramodern hard coal unit RDK 8 should go into operation here in 2012. The volume of investments tops 1 billion €. The new plant is characterised by a high efficiency and low CO2 emissions. What's more, EnBW has been given the go-ahead to convert the power station unit RDK 6 to a modern gas and steam combined cycle station at this site.

CCS technology - research for coal-fired power stations of the future

One possibility of reducing the harmful effects of CO2 emissions on the climate is the so-called CCS technology (Carbon, Capture & Storage). The CO2 that is produced is hereby captured, removed and stored deep underground at suitable locations. EnBW is currently involved in a research project aimed at lowering the high energy demand of the separation process. The CCS technology, however, is not expected to be ready-for-market before 2020.