The ashes from lignite combustion are characterized by high CaO and free CaO contents and are a potentially interesting material for CO2 bonding, more particularly as theirs economical use is limited. The findings of CO2 absorption by suspensions prepared on the basis of ash from lignite combustion are presented in the paper. On these grounds CO2 sequestration potential via mineral carbonation in ash aqueous suspensions in Poland will be estimated

The fuel mix of electricity generation in Poland is currently based predominantly on solid fuels. In addition, the generation power base is outdated. Many of the generating units are inefficient, uneconomic, and do not comply ecological standards, so they should be withdrawn from use in the near future. Poland, which consumes approximately 170 TWh of electricity, needs to determine the direction of the further development of the energy sector. The concepts of covering domestic demand for electricity were outlined by the government in the draft Energy Policy of Poland until 2040, where it was pointed out that the most important pillars of the Energy Policy should be the following: The energy security of the country, competitiveness, and the improvement of the energy efficiency of the economy, as well as limiting the impact on the environment. The article presents the current state of the Polish power sector and the directional changes planned by the government in the area of new capacities for the power industry. The authors present a critical evaluation of this document indicating the opportunities and threats in the area of its implementation. In contrast to many European countries, the Polish government is not considering coal phase-out.

The production of electricity and heat in Poland is the reason why the commercial power industry is the largest emitter of CO₂. At the same time, significant amounts of solid by-products of combustion, which can be used to bind CO₂ by mineral carbonation, are generated during the production processes. The article presents the results of research on mineral sequestration of CO₂ (suspension-CO₂) using fluidized bed combustion (FBC) fly ashes from hard coal combustion. The analyzed fluidized bed combustion (FBC) fly ashes were characterized by a significant free CaO content (1.7–6.8%) and a high CO₂ binding potential ranging from 9.7 to 15.7%. In the case of fluidized bed combustion (FBC) fly ashes suspensions, the basic product of the carbonation process is calcium carbonate, which is clearly indicated by the results of the phase composition determination of solidified suspensions of fluidized bed combustion (FBC) fly ashes. The degree of carbonation, i.e. the degree of CO₂ binding, calculated on the basis of the calcium carbonate content, in the analyzed suspensions was up to 1.1%. Mineral carbonation also reduces the leachability of pollutants such as: Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni, As, Hg, Cd, Cr, Cl, and SO₄^2-. The pH is also reduced from about 12 to about 9. Aqueous suspensions of fluidized bed combustion (FBC) fly ashes with introduced CO₂ can potentially be used in underground mining. These activities are in line with the concepts of Carbon Capture and Utilization and the idea of circular economy.