(643g) National Carbon Capture Center Supporting Development and Scale-up of CO2 Utilization Technologies

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and operated and managed by Southern Company, the National Carbon Capture Center (NCCC) is a cornerstone of U.S. innovation in advancing fossil energy technology solutions. Bridging the gap between laboratory research and large-scale demonstrations, the center works to accelerate the development of technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from natural gas- and coal-based power plants. The facility evaluates next-generation carbon dioxide (COâ‚‚) capture and CO₂ utilization processes from third-party developers, focusing on the early-stage development of the most promising, cost-effective technologies for future commercial deployment. Through pilot testing of more than 60 technologies, the center has directly participated in the reduction of the projected cost of carbon capture from fossil power generation by approximately one-third.

Since its creation in 2009, the NCCC has performed more than 115,000 hours of technology testing, with research now focused bringing on new technologies closer to the marketplace for post-combustion COâ‚‚ capture and CO₂ utilization. Evaluation of developing technologies using actual flue gas under industrial conditions provides critical information on material and process suitability.

The center is broadening its research scope to expand testing of carbon capture technologies for natural gas power generation in addition to its existing coal-fueled testing capability. Integration of the new natural gas flue gas equipment with the existing infrastructure will allow each carbon capture project to receive either natural gas or coal flue gas independently of other projects.

Because reduction of CO₂ emissions is an international issue, the NCCC provides worldwide technology leadership – it co-founded the International Test Center Network, a global coalition focused on research, development and deployment of carbon capture, use and storage (CCUS). Formed in 2012 in collaboration with DOE’s Office of Fossil Energy, the ITCN facilitates knowledge-sharing among carbon capture test facilities around the world to accelerate the commercial deployment of carbon capture technologies. The ITCN now has 15 test facilities that are members.

The NCCC has demonstrated its ability to bring on board and manage a multitude of projects to develop the most promising technologies for clean, efficient fossil-fuel energy production with ultra-low COâ‚‚ emissions. Testing at the NCCC also supports research and development of CO₂ utilization technologies that will efficiently, economically and cleanly transform COâ‚‚ into value-added products – partially offsetting COâ‚‚ capture costs from power generation and providing an alternative to conventional manufacturing processes. Operations at the center have resulted in significant scale-ups, process enhancements, and technological breakthroughs. This presentation will detail the center’s capabilities, role in supporting development of CO₂ utilization technologies, and future plans.