We Energies to host innovative carbon separation project

Demonstration will serve as a major step in assessing new technology

PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. - We Energies has been selected to test a new technology that could have a significant impact on lowering emissions from fossil-fueled power plants.

The partners in this project are We Energies, ALSTOM, and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI).  

ALSTOM will design, construct and operate the pilot system that will separate CO₂ from a slip stream of boiler flue gas at the We Energies' 1,210-megawatt (MW) power plant in Pleasant Prairie, Wis. The unique process for CO₂ separation was developed by ALSTOM, a leading manufacturer of power generation systems, equipment and services. The project is the first of its kind in the United States.

The construction of the carbon separation facility will begin in late 2006, with start-up anticipated in mid-2007. The project will remain operational for at least one year. During this time, EPRI will conduct an extensive test program to collect data and evaluate technology performance. Results of the demonstration project are anticipated to be published in late 2008. 

The ALSTOM process uses chilled ammonia to dramatically cool flue gas, which increases both the volume and the rate at which carbon dioxide can be isolated in a highly concentrated form. In demonstrations through independent research studies, the process has shown the potential to yield capture rates in excess of 90 percent and to be significantly lower in total cost than conventional carbon reduction processes.

Carbon-based fuels account for about 85 percent of the world?s energy use. This technology has the potential to make the cost of CO₂ capture for new and existing pulverized coal power plants competitive with the cost of CO₂ capture for the emerging integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power plant technology.

"The development of cost-effective carbon capture technology is one of the most important environmental challenges facing the utility industry in the 21^st century," said Rick Kuester, executive vice president of Wisconsin Energy Corporation, the parent company of We Energies. "We are pleased to partner with ALSTOM and EPRI in the development of this innovative technology."

EPRI will conduct an extensive evaluation of the system's performance and support the development of technological and economic analyses associated with applying the carbon-capture process on a commercial scale, primarily to larger, coal-fueled power plants. 

"We are very excited to have reached this milestone in the development of a significant technology which has the potential to have a broad impact on the future of electricity generation," said EPRI Vice President of Generation Chris Larsen. "Evaluating and developing technology for economical post-combustion CO₂ capture is critical to ensure that we keep coal as a viable electricity generation option. Nineteen other utilities which represent a large portion of the coal-fueled utilities in the United States have committed to support this project and we hope the results from the analysis will encourage additional participation."

ALSTOM sets the benchmark for innovative, environmentally friendly technologies in the world of power and rail transport infrastructure. ALSTOM built the fastest train and the highest capacity automated metro in the world, and provides turnkey integrated power plant solutions and associated services for a wide variety of energy sources, including hydro, gas and coal. The Group employs 60,000 people in 70 countries, and had sales of 13.4 billion euros in 2005/06.

The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), with major locations in Palo Alto, California, and Charlotte, North Carolina, was established in 1973 as an independent, nonprofit center for public interest energy and environmental research. EPRI brings together member organizations, the Institute's scientists and engineers, and other leading experts to work collaboratively on solutions to the challenges of electric power. These solutions span nearly every area of power generation, delivery, and use, including health, safety, and environment. EPRI's members represent over 90% of the electricity generated in the United States. International participation represents nearly 15% of EPRI's total R&D program.