Emmanouil Kakaras, the executive vice-president of Green Transformation Solutions at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) EMEA, who doesn’t think the last leg of decarbonisation will be away from thermal solutions. This change will be mainly supported by gas turbines equipped with Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology. The world has since turned its attention towards reaching net-zero emissions. It’s absolutely essential that we act on the best solutions in power generation without delay. These two recent projects illustrate the amazing promise of CCS-equipped gas turbines. One of these projects was in Himeji, Japan and the other in Ravenna, Italy.
MHI recently opened a successful, leading CCS project in Himeji in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. This new project will use carbon capture technology to remove CO₂ emissions from a large gas turbine that generates electricity. The CO₂ that is captured is then stored away permanently, helping to lower the overall carbon footprint of the entire power generation process. Eni achieved a notable commercial-scale CCS application success on a gas turbine in Ravenna, Italy. This achievement is a huge step forward in proving the feasibility of this technology.
The Role of CCS in Achieving Net Zero
Specifically, Kakaras highlights gas turbines with CCS as one of the most powerful tools for reaching net-zero emissions. Beyond this, they play a critical role in ensuring the overall stability of the system. The broader use of these technologies presents an opportunity for current plants to operate in an efficient manner, with less impact on the environment. CCS-capable gas turbines provide reliable, low-cost, and clean performance for 25-30 years once constructed. They are a sustainable energy solution that pays us back for decades to come!
The recently announced ventures in Himeji, Japan and Ravenna, Italy serve as examples for what is already possible with existing CCS technology. In Ravenna, the CCS process focuses on low-concentration flue gas. This greenhouse gas is the byproduct of a combusted natural gas powered turbine that drives a turbo compressor. This application shows once again that large scale, cost effective CO₂ capture is possible from more diffuse emissions. Additionally, it underscores the responsiveness and flexibility of CCS systems to diverse operational environments.
The Himeji CO₂ capture plant has been a valuable model perfectly tailored to the power sector’s unique and stringent requirements. By integrating CCS technology into existing infrastructure, operators can significantly enhance their carbon management strategies while maintaining energy production levels. This combination sets the stage perfectly for Kakaras’s statement on the future need for efficient, clean, flexible, reliable energy generation to meet tomorrow’s energy needs.
Challenges and Opportunities for CCS Implementation
Unlocking the future potential of CCS technology there is no question that we must overcome some challenges. Kakaras adds that coordinated and strategic development of carbon infrastructure is absolutely necessary. This includes creating planning frameworks that support the deployment of CCS systems and establishing market signals that incentivize investment and innovation in this domain.
In addition to a favorable regulatory environment, public acceptance is pivotal to the success of CCS projects. To cultivate an ecosystem where these CCS technologies can thrive, stakeholders need to coordinate in order to establish the right market signals. Governments, industry leaders, and communities must engage in open dialogues to address concerns while highlighting the benefits of implementing carbon capture solutions.
The operational readiness of CCS technology has already been proven through real-world applications like Himeji and Ravenna. These pilot projects each provide a roadmap for similar future projects. They demonstrate that we’re able to make huge leaps forward to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By leveraging existing technologies and investing in further research and development, stakeholders can expedite the transition towards a sustainable energy future.
Moving Forward with CCS-Equipped Gas Turbines
This is how the energy sector is successfully working today to make the transition to a cleaner energy world. Kakaras underlines the importance of thermal decarbonisation through gas turbines with carbon capture and storage (CCS). These systems allow us to avoid the consequences and keep burning natural gas. They take us one step closer to a sustainable energy future.
The ongoing developments in Himeji and Ravenna indicate that significant progress is being made toward integrating CCS into mainstream energy production. These examples of initiatives are helping to show how government and industry can collaborate to apply innovative technologies to address climate change without jeopardizing energy security.