United States – The Louisville Gas and Electric Company and the Kentucky Utilities Company (LG&E and KU), in collaboration with the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research (CAER), have formed an innovative partnership to investigate carbon dioxide (CO2) capture at natural gas combined cycle power plants.
LG&E, KU, and CAER researchers are collaborating to develop a flexible, net-zero CO2 emissions technology that is immediately applicable to natural gas combined cycle power production while also lowering the capital expenditures involved with its installation.
H2 & O2
Along with CO2 capture, the system will generate two value-added streams: hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2), which can be sold to cover the expense of CO2 capture.
The purpose of this study is to determine how to extend equipment life and maximize fuel efficiency by maintaining a steady rate of energy generation by creating H2 /O2 during periods of low power demand. Successful progress of this research will result in low-cost negative CO2 emissions from natural gas combined cycle facilities.
First phase
The first phase of this research project will be conducted in CAER’s facilities, with the eventual goal of bringing this technology to LG&E and KU’s Cane Run Generating Station in Louisville for pilot-scale testing.
