Chinese scientists have developed the world’s first coal-powered fuel cell, offering a potential path to lower emissions and more efficient use of coal.

Unlike traditional coal plants that burn fuel to generate steam, this system—developed at Shenzhen University—uses a “Zero-Carbon Direct Coal Fuel Cell” (ZC-DCFC) to convert coal into electricity through a chemical process rather than combustion. Coal is pre-treated and fed into the cell’s anode, where it releases electrons, while oxygen at the cathode completes the reaction, generating power directly.

Although carbon dioxide is produced, it is captured within the system and reused to create useful byproducts such as syngas, preventing its release into the atmosphere.

The technology achieves efficiency levels of around 40%, comparable to or exceeding some conventional systems, while avoiding energy losses typical of heat-based generation. Researchers say the design also overcomes past challenges like short lifespans and low energy density.

Scientists believe this innovation could enable near-zero-emission coal use and open new possibilities for cleaner energy production, particularly in deep mining environments where coal extraction is becoming more common.