Evaluation of the impact of fuel characteristics and operating conditions on the performance of coal-fired electric utility steam-raising plant and the prospects for continued reliance on coal as fuel for electric power generation. The phenomena emphasized are the behavior of turbulent jets; ignition, devolatilization and combustion of coal particles; radiative heat transfer and the effect of ash deposits on heat transfer; formation of air pollutants and their removal from combustion products; integrated gasification combined cycle; and capture and sequestration of carbon dioxide.