Defining CCS Ready: An Approach to An International Definition

Chapter 2: Capture Ready Plant Definition• Oxy-fuel combustion (relevant for all fossil fuel and biomass plant types, includingpulverized coal (PC), fluidized bed combustion (FBC), natural gas combined cycles(NGCC), and cement & lime kilns); and• Pre-combustion capture (greatest interest for Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle(IGCC) power plants, and possibly NGCC, but technically relevant for all fossil fuels).Selecting at least one of the capture technologies and conducting studies to assess whetherthe capture facilities can indeed be constructed at the time of the retrofit will help ensurethat the technology is technically feasible and commercially available at the time of retrofit.The proposed Capture Ready definition does not impose a condition that the technologyselected for technical feasibility assessment at the initial stage of planning for a CaptureReady plant be the same as the one that is eventually retrofitted. This approach encouragesthe project developer to take advantage of technological improvements over time, yetensures that at least one feasible technology exists during the planning phase.Such technical assessments are also considered in several key studies. The IEA GHG’sdefinition includes this concept where it suggests a “study of options for CO 2 captureretrofit and potential pre-investments.” 16 Gibbins has noted that feasibility study is requiredto assess how capture facilities will be added later as a retrofit. 17 The UK CCR Guidancealso requires that applicants demonstrate “the technical feasibility of retrofitting theirchosen carbon capture technology.” 18 The UK Guidance goes further and provides achecklist of items in annexes A-C that developers need to consider as they demonstratetechnical feasibility. The UK CCR Guidance also expects that developers will chosewhatever the most appropriate available technology is at the time of retrofit.Assessing the technical capability of a retrofit will include consideration of the design of boththe plant that will be built now, as well as the plant after the capture retrofit. A number ofdifferent facilities are needed for retrofitting capture plants, depending on the choice of thecapture technologies. The inclusion of these new facilities will modify the design of the plantsignificantly and may also reduce the plant’s efficiency. Indeed, the design of a capture plantcould be very different from its non-capture counterpart, such that significant modificationsmay be needed during the retrofit stage. Capture Ready plant designs could considerincorporating some of the features of a plant with capture facilities, in order to assure thetechnical feasibility of the eventual capture retrofit.Given that the amount of space required depends on what equipment and facilities areneeded, the preliminary design for the retrofitted plant could include:• Capture plant, and associated equipment;• Waste handling and processing from the capture plant;• Additional equipment for flue gas cleanup needed for capture plant;16 Page ii of International Energy Agency Greenhouse Gas R&D Programme (IEA GHG). (2007a). CO2 capture ready plants(Report no. 2007/4). Cheltenham, UK: Author.17 Gibbins, J.. (2006). Making New Power Plants ‘Capture Ready.’ Presentation to the 9th International CO2 CaptureNetwork, London, England.18 Page 8 of U.K. Department of Energy and Climate Change (U.K. DECC). (2009a). Carbon capture readiness (CCR): Aguidance note for Section 36 Electricity Act 1989 consent applications (Publication no. URN 09D/810). London, UK: Author.23 February 2010 22