14 DAY TRIAL // The U.S. Department of Energy has recently selected six project designed to develop technologies that will lower the cost of producing electricity in integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power plants. The DOE will grant $14 million in total funding to the respective projects.
This is claimed to be part of Obama Administration’s effort to help mitigate the effects of climate change. It is a direct investment in IGCC-related infrastructure among electric power and industrial facilities, academic institutions, and other organizations operating across the United States.
“Today’s announcement represents a commitment to working with industry partners to develop one of the most promising technologies for energy plants of the future. These new technologies will not only help reduce carbon pollution, they will keep America competitive, create the high-tech jobs of the future and drive down electricity costs for consumers,” said Secretary Steven Chu.
The advantages offered by the IGCC power plants are numerous, including increased power plant efficiency. Higher efficiencies mean that less fuel is used to generate power; resulting in better economics, which can mean lower costs to consumers and the formation of fewer harmful pollutants. For example, a 60%-efficient gasification power plant can cut the formation of carbon dioxide by 40% compared to a typical coal combustion plant.
The projects, which will be managed by DOE’s National Energy Technology Laboratory, are to use gasification to provide power from coal with 90 percent carbon capture, utilization, and storage at minimal increase in the cost of electricity.
They are as follows: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. (Palo Alto, Calif.), TDA Research, Inc. (Wheat Ridge, Colo.), General Electric Company (Houston, Texas), Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (Allentown, Pa.), Reaction Engineering International (REI) (Salt Lake City, Utah), and General Electric Company (Houston, Texas).