October 16, 2024
BY GE Vernova
GE Vernova Inc (NYSE: GEV) announced the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management released the official findings of the GE Vernova-led front-end engineering design (FEED) study, “Retrofittable Advanced Combined-Cycle Integration for Flexible Decarbonized Generation.”
The study evaluated retrofitting Southern Company subsidiary Alabama Power’s James M. Barry Electric Generating Plant, located in Bucks, Alabama, with technology capable of capturing up to 95% of the plant’s CO2 emissions. It demonstrated that the integration of GE Vernova’s Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system could lead to a reduction of more than 6% of the total cost of the carbon capture facility, as compared to installing carbon capture without the EGR system.
The GE Vernova-led study was completed in collaboration with Southern Company, Linde, BASF, and Kiewit, and explored the benefits of close integration between a natural gas combined-cycle (NGCC) plant and a carbon capture system.
GE Vernova’s measures and technologies explored in the study included the use of NGCC steam in the carbon capture system facility, potential gas turbine upgrades, installing NGCC and carbon capture control systems, and employing GE Vernova’s EGR system, which reintroduces part of the exhaust gas back into the gas turbine inlet.
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The study’s integrated approach helped reduce the size and costs of the carbon capture system by halving the number of absorber towers, improving the efficiency and flexibility of the plant, and potentially increasing its power output.
“GE Vernova is grateful for the Department of Energy’s support of this study, the first of its kind to explore EGR technology applied in a gas power carbon capture plant” said Jeremee Wetherby, GE Vernova Carbon Solutions Leader. “We developed a holistic approach considering various integration measures building on our long history and expertise in power plant engineering, operation, upgrades and controls. Carbon capture is a crucial pathway to lowering carbon emissions from power generation to near-zero levels, and we are pleased with the benefits projected by the study – which naturally can vary from site to site but represent a valuable indicator of the possibilities at similar sites.”
The study demonstrated that the effects of adding a carbon capture system to an NGCC power plant could be reduced through a series of integration measures, including the EGR system. GE Vernova has developed EGR systems for two decades, initially for nitrogen oxide (NOx) control and part-load efficiency benefits. In addition to this study, GE Vernova has demonstrated the commercial readiness of F- and H-class combustors operating with EGR at GE Vernova’s test facility in Greenville, South Carolina.
This study recognized the potential of an EGR system to deliver the following benefits as compared to a non-EGR system:
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The collaboration with Southern Company, Linde, BASF, and Kiewit was crucial for the success of this study, which showed that GE Vernova’s integration techniques can help reduce plant capital costs, energy consumption, and operating expenses.
“Southern Company is pleased this desktop engineering study showed that applying carbon capture for natural gas combined-cycle generation may create options and long-term value for customers in a net-zero future,” said Dr. Mark S. Berry, Southern Company Senior Vice President of Research, Environment And Sustainability. “We congratulate GE and the other members of the FEED study team for employing unique technology approaches that could advance the future deployment of carbon capture as a clean energy solution for the customer and communities we serve.”
"As a provider of CO2 capture technology, we commend DOE's leadership in advancing gas power decarbonization technology towards a clean and reliable energy future. The results of this FEED study underpin Linde’s belief that a collaborative approach between technology providers, end-users, and other stakeholders is essential in driving innovation and cost reduction in CO2 capture. We are committed to working with DOE and other partners to help decarbonize industry,” said Dominic Cianchetti, Senior Vice President, Region Americas, Linde.
“Kiewit Engineering Group’s participation in the GE Vernova-led study underscores our dedication to advancing innovative solutions for carbon capture technology. By leveraging our engineering and construction expertise, we contributed to the integration of the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system, achieving significant cost reductions and efficiency improvements. This study highlights the potential for retrofitting existing power plants to meet stringent carbon emission standards, a vital step towards sustainable energy,” Kevin Needham, President-Power Engineering, Kiewit Engineering Group Inc.
With the goals of improving affordability, reliability, load flexibility, and significantly reducing carbon emissions, GE Vernova’s NGCC and carbon capture integration techniques can be applied across more than 1,600 F-Class gas turbines worldwide, delivering approximately 300 gigawatts (GW) of electricity daily.
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