May 8 2008
Clean Energy Systems' (CES) zero emissions power plant technology has been selected to supply carbon dioxide to a large-scale carbon capture and storage project under the leadership of the West Coast Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership (WESTCARB). The US Department of Energy (DOE) will fund $65.6 million to the California Energy Commission, which will manage the $90.6 million geologic carbon dioxide (CO2) storage pilot project. The balance of the funding will be provided by a group of cooperating partners, including the California Energy Commission and CES. WESTCARB, managed by the California Energy Commission, will oversee the creation, operation, and post injection monitoring of the proposed Project, and CES and partners will build, own, and operate a nominal 50 MW gas-fueled plant with full carbon capture using technology already demonstrated at the same site on a 5 MW scale.
The project, in Bakersfield (Kern County) CA, will inject one million tons of compressed CO2, a major greenhouse gas, into subterranean storage formations 7,000 feet beneath a 50 MW CES zero-emission power plant. The CES plant can use any of several clean gaseous fuels in a pollution-free oxy-fuel system producing a relatively pure CO2 stream. The proposed test would inject the entire exhaust stream of the CES plant over a period of four years, beginning in 2011, avoiding one million tons of greenhouse gas emissions to California’s atmosphere.
“California is a leader in the fight against global warming, and this money will help us in reaching our climate change goals,” said California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, in a statement released by his office on May 6. “It also underscores the need for continued funding to research new technologies. Over a short period of time—just four years—this carbon capture and storage project has the potential to remove one million tons of carbon dioxide from our atmosphere. These are the kinds of innovative technologies that we need to win the battle against greenhouse gas emissions.”
“By demonstrating how greenhouse gas emissions can be safely contained through carbon sequestration, we make strides to curb the effects of global warming,” said California Energy Commission Vice-Chair James Boyd. “Using the newest carbon capture and storage technology, California can show how environmental and industrial concerns are working together for the same cause.”
Keith Pronske, President and CEO of CES, said, “We are pleased that this powerful combination of government and industry partners recognizes the value and potential of CES’ technology, and we look forward to making power without pollution a reality.”
Southern California Gas Co.'s research arm provided support to Clean Energy System's carbon-capture technology as part of its commitment to help find solutions to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.
"We are pleased to see this new technology be put to the test to create the first zero-emission power plant," said Hal Snyder, vice president of customer programs at Southern California Gas Co. "We applaud DOE's funding of this demonstration project. If successful, we believe this technology can help California meet its ambitious greenhouse-gas reduction goals."
WESTCARB, led by the California Energy Commission, demonstrates ways to sequester CO2 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions linked to global climate change. WESTCARB comprises more than 70 organizations from state and provincial resource management and environmental protection agencies; national laboratories and research institutions; colleges and universities; conservation non-profits; oil and gas companies; power companies; pipeline companies; trade associations; vendors and service firms; and consultants.