The Norwegian government recently opened the largest test center for CO2 capture, located in the Mongstan Technology Center (MTC). Alstom is one of the two technology and industrial suppliers selected by CTM partners (Gassnova, Statoil, Shell and Sasol) for the construction and testing of CO2 capture facilities located in the vicinity of Bergen (Norway).
Effectiveness of carbon capture and storage (CCS).
Given that fossil fuels will represent 60% of electricity generation in 2030, the application of technologies of carbon capture and storage is key to addressing the challenge of climate change.
Alstom is currently focused on two main solutions that have proven their efficiency and profitability: the post- combustion capture and oxygen based combustion capture.
These technologies will be the most sustainable and viable solutions in economic terms since, in addition, they are the ones that can adapt to the installed base, which is essential to achieving the emissions targets of the future.
As revealed by the results of a detailed study based on 13 Alstom pilot projects, the cost of electricity generated by a coal plant with CCS (which will be commercially available in 2015 and will capture 90% of CO2 emissions) will be between 6.5 and 8.5 euro cents / kWh depending on fuel and location. This cost is already competitive and will improve over the years as the technology matures. The same conclusion applies in a combined cycle power plant using CCS.
After 10 years of development, CCS is on the verge of large-scale implementation. A new global market is opening, where Europe is well positioned for its leadership in this technology, for the steps it has taken to create a regulatory framework and for the decisions it has taken to encourage the development of CCS through funding for pilot plants.
After a first phase, Alstom, together with TCM will carry out a process of 12 to 18 months testing and operation beginning in the summer of 2012. The Alstom chilled ammonia process (CAP) has demonstrated its potential as a leading and reference technology worldwide. The validation program confirmed the expected performance levels, without environmental impact. Alstom offers a comprehensive range of solutions with the most advanced carbon capture technologies, for energy and industrial applications. It is currently developing 16 projects in Carbon Capture and Storage along with several partners in industry and public services worldwide.
Alstom has always maintained that all solutions to reduce emissions, while generating the necessary energy for economic development and social welfare, will be needed to address climate change, mainly by increasing the use of all renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency both in new plants and existing ones and developing the technology of carbon capture and storage for plants using fossil fuels.
