Demonstration plant for carbon dioxide capture, transport and storage (CCS)

PGE Elektrownia Bełchatów S.A. has worked on the preparatory task to develop a demonstration scale CCS installation integrated with the newly-built 858 MW unit since 2007. At present, as a result of the Consolidation Programme of the PGE Group, the CCS project is run by PGE Górnictwo i Energetyka Konwencjonalna SA (PGE GiEK SA) and will include the following key components as the full value chain in the validation process of the CCS technology:

• Carbon Capture Plant (CCP) of equivalent power of >250MW and the CO₂ capture efficiency of >80% utilizing the Advanced Amine Process (AAP) & its integration with the 858 MW unit. It means, that the CCP will capture approximately 1,8 million tonnes of CO₂ per annum. The task includes also modification of the new 858MW unit for the needs of the CCP construction to obtain the status „Capture Ready”
• CO₂ Transportation: this component will consist of a pipeline and the associated infrastructure to transport the compressed CO₂ from the Carbon Capture Plant (CCP) to the storage site
• CO₂ Storage: this will include the injection of pressurized CO₂ into the ground (deep saline aquifers) for permanent storage.

Within the solutions concerning the technology in the „post-combustion” option, the AAP technology has been selected as a the most mature technology available for CO₂ capture dedicated to the CCP at Bełchatów Power Plant. The amine solvent selected by The Dow Chemical Company is particularly suitable for this application versus alternatives due to its higher capture rate, tolerance to impurities of the flue gas stream, lower degradation rates and corrosion properties. The AAP process also has a smaller footprint allowing a relatively easy CCP integration with the existing Base Plant – the 858 MW unit. The Dow Chemical Company has developed an advanced solution concerning formulation and performance of the solvent in the Advance Amine Process, whereas Alstom processes improvements and implementation of the AAP technology in the pilot and, subsequently, the demonstration phase aiming at future commercial use after 2020. Alstom has been progressing an extensive test work in the USA at the bench-scale & pilot-scale at a new testing facility in Charleston using flue gases produced by fossil fuel power generation. This aims at gathering robust technological data for the design and engineering of the CCP at  Bełchatów Power Plant.

Charleston Pilot Plant

The CCP will compress the capturedCO₂ to supercritical fluid conditions prior to transportation by pipeline. In terms of the CO₂ transport potential transportation routes have been identified. These potential routes of the CO₂ pipeline have been included in the Łódzkie Voivodeship Area Development Plans. Concerning the storage component – three potential storage sites have been identified based on the various studies and analyses. The detailed appraisal of these storage sites is ongoing. The research work is carried out by two contractors: Polish Geological Institute and Schlumberger (Carbon Services Division) and it work comprises a high-level characterization of the three potential geological structures and selection of one unique structure still in the 2011. The optimization process completion and CCS final commissioning is planned on December 2015.
The PGE GiEK SA’s CCS Project was selected, along with five other European CCS projects, to receive €180 million subsides that would come from the EU funds in the framework of the European Energy Programme for Recovery (EEPR) in the field of energy aiming at stimulating the development of the economic activities during the economic crisis. In addition to the €180 million grant being the subject of the EEPR application, PGE GiEK SA is seeking additional funding from sources such as Norwegian Financial Mechanism, resources within the “NER 300” (New Entrant Reserve) – a mechanism within the EU Emissions Trading System – and financing in the framework of Long Term Agreements. Awarding of the EEPR grant was essential for the implementation of the project and specifically for the initial phase of the project in 2009/2010. This is due to the fact that the investment is not viable commercially and is not expected to become viable until the cost of EU Emission Trading System, e.g. ETS certificates, reaches parity with the costs of implementing and operating the CCS facilities. To conclude, without this grant it will not be possible to reach the levels of financing required.
The strategic impact of public understanding and acceptance of the CCS concept will be substantial in enabling its widespread commercialisation. As an additional longer-term economic benefit, it is expected that the project will lead to the creation of new green jobs in Poland and across Europe in manufacturing, construction, operation and maintenance of CO₂ capture, transport and storage installations. Funding of mature demonstration projects like the one run by PGE GiEK SA all over Europe together with appropriate political decisions will enable the EU to firmly establish Europe’s global leadership in the development of this innovative technology and suppoprt the efforts to tackle global warming. The PGE GiEK SA’s CCS Project will show that CCS exploits the potential of existing and available energy sources while guaranteeing substantial CO₂ emission reductions. A successful operation of the Carbon Capture Plant at Bełchatów Power Plant will allow the technology to be demonstrated at a large scale on new, modern 858 MW power generation unit. The latter is a necessary step for commercialization and wider use of the technology.

Events

CCS | Questions and answers (PDF)

For more information about the CCS project in PGE GiEK SA please contact with Public Consultation Team by the phone +48 44 737 25 50 or e-mail: ccs@pgegiek.pl

Belchatow CCS Project is co-financed by the European Union’s European Energy Programme for Recovery programme.