Use of Reclaimed Surface Mines for Heat and Power Production

Abstract: The use of renewable energy sources is becoming increasingly necessary, if we are to achieve the changes required to address the impacts of global warming. Biomass is the most common form of renewable energy, widely used in the third world but until recently, less so in the Western world. Latterly much attention has been focused on identifying suitable biomass species, which can provide high-energy outputs, to replace conventional fossil fuel energy sources. The type of biomass required is largely determined by the energy conversion process and the form in which the energy is required. The potential of reclaimed land of mines to act as a biofuel source, providing fuel to supplement conventional power stations, is examined, together with the replacement of fuels in gas or diesel boilers for the production of thermal energy.