Assessment of Clean-Coal Strategies: The Questionable Merits of Carbon Capture-Readiness

In this paper we investigate the value of capture-readiness by modeling the cost effectiveness of various alternative technological options and focusing on different cleancoal technology pathways. The modeling framework developed is based on stochastic net present value calculations. It allows for consideration of path-dependent and technologyspecific risk combinations inherent in the input and output commodities that are relevant for operating the plant. We find that capture-readiness competes with alternative options of power plant replacements and that capture-readiness is not necessarily preferable from an economic perspective.