A Rapid Temperature Swing Adsorption Carbon Capture Technology For Optimal Operation of A Fossil Power Plant
National Energy Technology Laboratory
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Power plants equipped with carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies can reduce the cost of net-zero carbon systems, but the addition of variable renewable energy (VRE) sources like wind and solar can make them difficult to design and operate while limiting their commercial potential. Increased ramping of electricity generators could also reduce capacity and efficiency, increase operations and maintenance costs, and potentially increase CO2 emissions. Improving CCS processes and designs could enable a low-cost, net-zero carbon electricity system.
PROJECT INNOVATION + ADVANTAGES
Susteon is evaluating Svante’s CO2 capture technology using solid sorbents based on thermal swing adsorption that enables power generators to operate the power plant in a “load following” mode in response to grid conditions in a high VRE penetration environment.This CO2 capture technology, based on novel structured adsorbents incorporating advanced nanomaterials, is currently being demonstrated with flue gas derived from natural gas combustion. Susteon is simulating the integration of this technology with an existing natural gas power plant in southern California — a region with a large amount of renewable electricity on the grid. This integrated model has the potential to maximize the power plant’s net present value operation in a high VRE penetration environment.
Improvements in the design and processes of CCS-equipped plants in high VRE environments could dramatically reduce the cost of a net-zero carbon system.Specific benefits include:
- SECURITY: Flexible CCS systems can enable the continued use of low-cost domestic fuel,primarily cheap natural gas, for electricity generation and increase the reliability of a deeply decarbonized electricity system.
- ENVIRONMENT: Flexible CCS systems can achieve high CO2 capture rates from flue gas. A power generator could be enabled to shift the times it exports electricity to the grid, allowing the power generator and CCS plant to operate under steady-state conditions and with significantly reduced CO2emissions.
- ECONOMY: Flexible CCS systems can reduce the cost of a net-zero carbon electricity system by providing reliable power to a high-VRE grid.