The government-funded Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation said the hybrid coal and gas turbine could help India--one of the world's largest coal producers--generate cheaper and greener power.

The turbine system burns methane and waste coal in a kiln to produce hot air that is then passed through a specially adapted heat exchange unit to drive a gas turbine which generates power.

Waste coal that is not suitable for normal power generation and methane gas is considered 21 times more dangerous than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas

Cliff Mallett, CSIRO exploration and mining research investment manager, said the turbine was designed as part of a CSIRO research project targeting a 75 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from coal mines over the next 20 years.

"India is already heavily coal-dependent and, being under no constraint to cut back coal production--as it is not subject to the Kyoto agreement provisions--the coal industry is expected to increase production over the next decade," Mallett said.

Representatives from CSIRO and project partner Brisbane-based Liquatech Turbine Company, who are part of a delegation led by Australian Trade Minister Mark Vaile, will meet major industry leaders in New Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai this week.

"There is huge potential for India to invest in this technology. The proposal offers an opportunity for India to burn much of its waste coal in the generation of power in regional areas," Liquatech Chief Executive John Hocken said.

CSIRO said there are more than 500 coal mines in India and coal accounts for nearly 70 percent of the country's power generation.

The turbine project was funded by CSIRO, Liquatech, the Australian Coal Association Research Programme, and the New South Wales Sustainable Energy Development Authority.