| Combined cycle project updates


Developing next generation capture technology for combined cycle plants


In April, representatives of NETL (National Energy Technology Laboratory) and the US Department of Energy reported they had visited CORMETECH in North Carolina to review final preparations to ship and test a lower-cost “transformational” technology designed to capture at least 95% of the carbon dioxide from the flue gas of natural gas fuelled combined cycle power plants. The technology, developed by CORMETECH, is to be tested at the US National Carbon Capture Center (NCCC) in Alabama. The NCCC testing is considered an important step in scaling new technologies for use in large combined cycle plants. CORMETECH has received funding from DOE- NETL to develop the technology in a project titled Bench scale test of a polyethyleneimine monolith carbon capture process for natural gas combined cycle point sources (DE-FE0032138). This approach uses what is described as a ‘monolithic’ amine contactor to capture CO2


.


The monolith is a honeycomb structure with tiny flow channels for flue gas to pass through. The CO2


within the flue gas adsorbs to the amine (polyethyleneimine) that is contained within the


monolith’s internal porous structure. The CO2 is later desorbed using steam for subsequent sequestration or use. The process is similar to the direct air capture process being developed jointly by Global Thermostat and CORMETECH but incorporates modifications that enable it to be applied to combined cycle plants. NETL has supported the project through its Point Source Carbon Capture Program, which helps develop technologies for carbon capture from power and industrial sectors using a variety of approaches.


95% of the CO2 emissions produced by natural


gas power generation and industrial facilities. (See https://www.energy.gov/articles/doe-invests- 45-million-decarbonize-natural-gas-power-and- industrial-sectors-using-carbon)


CORMETECH integrated process unit for testing at the US National Carbon Capture Center


NETL is a sponsor of NCCC, a “world-class, neutral test facility focused on accelerating the development and commercialisation of next- generation carbon reduction technologies for fossil-based power plants.” Since its creation by DOE in 2009, the centre, managed and operated by Southern Company, is said to have been “a cornerstone of US innovation in the research and development of cost-effective, technically viable carbon management technologies.” NCCC says it has completed more than 150 000 hours of testing for carbon capture innovators, leading to significant scale-ups, process enhancements and ‘technological breakthroughs.’ Based on pilot testing and development of more than 75 technologies, the centre estimates it has already reduced the projected cost of carbon capture from fossil- based power generation by more than 40%. The CORMETECH project was one 12 proposals awarded a total of $45 million in US federal funding in 2021 to advance point-source carbon capture and storage technologies that can capture at least


Giving Sandow Lakes renewed purpose


Sandow Lakes Energy Company, LLC is planning to construct a 1200 MW natural gas fuelled combined cycle power plant on its site in Lee County, Texas, for operation within ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas). Construction is expected to begin in 2025, with the plant generating power by 2028.


Sandow Lakes Energy, LLC says it has executed


an agreement with Siemens Energy to reserve manufacturing slots for two SGT6-9000HL gas turbines, which have “the capability of operating on hydrogen with only minor modifications to the equipment.”


Sandow Lakes was formerly the site of a 1950s-era integrated industrial enterprise with 1200 MW of coal-based power generation. The legacy coal facilities and industrial facilities are in the process of being partially demolished and repurposed, paving the way for the new combined cycle power plant.


Visualisation of Sandow Lakes combined cycle plant


State Representative Stan Gerdes, in whose House District the development sits, said: “For the citizens of this region, losing Alcoa after six decades of manufacturing was a blow to the entire region. But with the advent of Sandow Lakes, the folks living here have renewed enthusiasm for the area, their families and for the future.”


Other recipients of funding under this award for projects focused on carbon capture applied to natural gas fuelled combined cycle power plants included: Calpine Texas CCUS Holdings, LLC (for study of CCS application at Calpine Deer Park Energy Center); GE Vernova; SRI International; TDA Research; University of Kentucky Research Foundation; and ION Clean Energy. Natural gas is the most prevalent energy source used for electricity generation in the USA. Of the 491 GW of natural-gas-fired generating capacity in the country, more than half is combined cycle.


San Pedro converted


Third GT added, conversion to combined cycle underway (photo Siemens Energy)


SCC Power has announced that its Argentine subsidiary SCC Power San Pedro SA has successfully completed the expansion and conversion to 3x1 combined cycle of the San Pedro power plant, located 164 km NW of Buenos Aires.


The project consisted of the installation of a 50 MW gas turbine (SGT-800), in addition to the two existing SGT-800 gas turbines at the site, as well as installation of a 55 MW steam turbine, three heat recovery steam generators, an air- cooled condenser and auxiliary equipment. The expansion project increased aggregate plant capacity to 208.5 MW and enhanced energy efficiency by 25%, placing San Pedro amongst the most efficient thermal generators in the Argentine power system, says SCC Power. The added capacity will be remunerated under the terms of a PPA expiring in February 2036. The project is one of the key strategic objectives defined at the inception of SCC Power in May 2022, the company says, and it “remains fully focused on stabilising plant operational performance, optimising costs, and implementing a full turnaround of the business.”


www.modernpowersystems.com | May 2024 | 19


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