Oxy-fuel combustion potentially can be used in plants based on both conventional and advanced technology. Studies have shown that plants equipped with oxy-fuel systems could reach nominal efficiencies in the 30 percent range with today’s steam turbines when fueled with natural gas and when capturing the CO₂. With anticipated advances in gasification, oxygen separation, and steam turbine technology, plants using oxy-fuel systems are expected to achieve efficiencies in the mid-40 percent range, with near-100 percent CO₂ capture and near-zero NOx emissions.

By 2012:

• In the near-term, efforts are focused on the development of oxy- fuel turbine and combustor technologies for highly efficient (50–60 percent), near-zero emissions, coal-based power systems.