In IGCC, the coal is not burned directly as it is in normal coal-fired power plants, but is converted into synthesis gas.

FORBES: 'Clean Coal' Project Falters In U.K.

At a high temperature and pressure, gasification converts coal, or other carbon fuels, into synthesis gas that is either burned in a turbine to produce electricity, as in Summit's case, or turned into other products, like diesel oil, fertilizer and pipeline-quality natural gas.

FORBES: Old King Coal

The future of a technology that converts dirty cheap coal into clean natural gas for transportation fuel was underscored last night by a Chinese investment in Synthesis Energy Systems(SYMX, NASDAQ), a small Houston company that holds a valuable license for this transforming technology.

FORBES: Synthesis Energy Systems Will Turn China's Dirty Coal Into Clean Natural Gas