Title: A review of non-renewable energy options in Illinois

Authors: L. Barnie Agyarko; G. Ali Mansoori

Addresses: College of Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA ' College of Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA

Abstract: The State of Illinois has the largest non-renewable (fossil) energy reserves among all the states in the USA. We report our studies on coal, oil and gas energy resources, conversions, consumptions and carbon dioxide sequestration advances in Illinois from the point of view of sustainability in energy and environmental. This includes reserves and characteristics of coal, oil and gas in the Illinois Basin, enhanced oil recovery possibilities, coal-bed-methane recovery, underground coal gasification possibilities, and natural gas production potential from the New Albany Shale through hydraulic fracturing, as well as the benefits and technological problems which may be encountered. We also analyse the present underground gas storage facilities and the benefits and potential for underground carbon dioxide storage options in Illinois. Considering that the major end-use version of energy in Illinois is electricity, we investigate the role of 'Clean Air Act' on the future of 'clean coal technology' fossil-fuelled power plants in Illinois. [Received: June 10, 2012; Accepted: August 7, 2012]

Keywords: Clean Air Act; clean coal technology; CCT; fossil fuels; power plants; Illinois Basin; natural gas; New Albany Shale; petroleum; carbon dioxide; CO2; carbon capture; carbon sequestration; shale gas; underground coal gasification; UCG; hydraulic fracturing; fracking; non-renewable energy options; USA; United States; sustainability; sustainable development; oil recovery; methane recovery.

DOI: 10.1504/IJOGCT.2013.052246

International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Technology, 2013 Vol.6 No.3, pp.288 - 347

Received: 11 Jun 2012
Accepted: 07 Aug 2012
Published online: 29 Jan 2014 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article