if we want to phase out fossil fuels before 2030, we need to apply this kind of efficiency to critical infrastructure while we figure out how to replace it. take casten’s idea, not his advice.

For smaller heat users, it is also possible to put molten carbonate or solid oxide fuel cells in an industrial facility and generate heat (they both operate over 600C so heat is readily available). These run directly off of natural gas, and generate extremely low emissions of everything but CO2. Here’s an example:
http://www.fuelcellenergy.com/dfc3000.php
According to their FAQ, ‘DFC power plants have also been designated as “Ultra-Clean” by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), and exceed all 2007 CARB standards.’

In order to build the cogeneration facility you are going to have to build in somebody’s back yard. The regulatory process to get anything built is difficult but to get something built in any major urban area it is excruciating because there are so many people who get affected. Moreover, because most major urban areas are air quality non-attainment areas you either have to add all sorts of additional and expensive pollution control equipment (that will surely excite the neighbors) or use natural gas for fuel. That is a problem because fuel diversity helps reduce cost and improve reliability.

As a result, I don’t think the entire reason that this isn’t used more is because of the utility monopolies and even if those legal impediments are removed that this will be implemented as widely as advocates hope.

Most places, anthracite is too precious to just burn. It is metalurgical grade coking coal, largely.

Pure crystalline silicon carbide is the gemstone moissanite which is named after Henri Moissan, who found small amounts in fragments from the meteror than formed the large crater in Arizona.

And oh yes. Be sure to build coal reactors which are capable of co-firing biomass.