Gas Turbine Handbook : Principles and Practices

Case Study #1 233
cal, economic and environmental viability of a commercial scale IGCC
power plant. The project will demonstrate that power plants based
on this technology can be built at capital costs and with thermal
efficiencies that significantly reduce electric power costs over more
conventional technologies. The project will also demonstrate the effectiveness
of hot gas clean-up in achieving low environmental impacts
(reduced SO 2
and NO x
emissions) and the operation of a low-Btu
fuel gas turbine. The performance to be demonstrated will include
all major sub-systems of the IGCC including coal and limestone feed
systems, pressurized air-blown fluidized-bed gasifier, hot product
gas filtering and desulfurization with a regenerative sulfur sorbent,
sulfator system, gas turbine and steam cycle and integrated control
systems. Another objective is to assess the long term reliability, maintainability,
and environmental performance of the IGCC technology
in a utility setting at a commercial scale.
Project Schedule and Status
The project is scheduled to be mechanically complete in late
1996 and in commercial operation by early 1997. Since execution
of the Cooperative Agreement in 1992, project activities have been
concentrated in the areas of regulatory approval, permitting, design
and engineering, and recently procurement.
Construction of new utility powerplants in Nevada must follow
approval of the unit as part of an approved “least cost” electric
resource plan by the Public Service Commission of Nevada. That
approval was obtained in November, 1993.
Environmental and permitting work has been proceeding on
the project since inception. As part of the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) activities an Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) was required for the plant. Following comprehensive sitespecific
studies and analysis, a draft EIS was prepared, public and
agency comments were received and the final EIS was issued in
September, 1994. A Record of Decision (ROD) is expected by October,
1994. SPPCo expects to submit its “Continuation Application” to the
Department of Energy in November 1994, following the ROD and
approval by the SPPCo Board of Directors.
All other permits, including an air quality PSD permit to construct,
have been received or are expected to be granted in the near
future. Prior to commencement of construction in February, 1995