vertigo,
sounds like excellent research to pursue. The Chinese are spending billions on "clean coal" and "carbon capture and storage" research. However it's still not there yet. Will be a gigantic worldwide breakthrough if it does become practical.
http://www.csiro.au/science/Coal-engines-and-carbon-fuel-cells.html
As far as Nat Gas supply, Santos claims it could supply the whole of Eastern Australia if required.
