FutureGen project restructured
The DOE announced a significant restructuring of the FutureGen project. The project originally consisted of a full IGCC facility - coal is gasified into syngas (CO, H2, CO2), the H2 is put through a turbine to produce power and the CO2 is sequestered. Today’s announcement indicates they are scrapping the front end gasification and power production to focus specifically on the carbon sequestration portion.
From the press release:
Today’s announcement builds on advancements in technology made since 2003 and allows for electricity to be produced and greenhouse gas emissions sequestered at a rate and scale that offers tremendous potential for commercial viability. The restructured approach will focus on separating carbon dioxide (CO2) for CCS, and does not include hydrogen production, which the concept announced in 2003 included; however, hydrogen production for commercial use will remain an important component of DOE’s other energy initiatives. Also, engagement with the international community will remain an integral part of DOE’s efforts to advance CCS technology on a global scale.
This is a good thing. I was a little worried about this project as it had a lot of high-cost pieces to it that were probably not worth the money doing anymore. Industry already knows quite a bit about gasification and combustion cycles from the natural gas industry. But it’s the CCS function that needs a body of knowledge to draw from.
