The Role of Power Generation Technology in Mitigating Global Climate Change.

Anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide (CO₂), are primarily responsible for the roughly 0.8 °C global temperature increase since the industrial revolution. With industrial activity and population expected to increase for the rest of the century, the projected large increases in greenhouse gas emissions are expected to result in additional, potentially substantial, global warming. Using a powerful, PC-based global climate model, global warming is projected for two business-as-usual cases, as well as simple, yet instructive, scenarios in which major programs are initiated to limit CO₂ emissions. The paper provides a brief overview of 1) the forces driving CO₂ emission increases, 2) how different CO₂ emission trajectories could affect temperature this century, 3) required mitigation technologies with a focus on power generation mitigation options, and 4) R&D priorities. While various aspects of this subject are addressed extensively in the scientific literature,, this paper aims to provide a succinct integration of information about the projected warming of the earth in the decades ahead, the emission reductions that may be needed to constrain this warming to tolerable levels, and the potentially available technologies to help achieve these emission reductions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]