Toshiba has shipped a 25MW gross electric (50MWth) turbine for a supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) generation system demonstration plant in Texas, US.
The demonstration plant is jointly developed by Toshiba, NET Power, CB&I, and Exelon.
Since 2012, Toshiba has been developing the turbine and combustor for the plant.
Toshiba's Energy Systems & Solutions Company thermal and hydro power systems & services division said: “By combining casing technology for the ultra-super critical steam turbine with material technology and cooling technology for the high temperature gas turbine, we have achieved a highly reliable turbine.
“With our advanced technologies in thermal power generation, we are committed to producing electricity efficiently.”
The demonstration plant is expected to start operations in 2017.
The plant will see the validation of the Net Power's Allam Cycle, a new natural gas power system that operates at high efficiency and collects high-pressure CO2.
After establishing the technology at the plant, the companies aim to construct a 250MW class commercial-scale natural gas plant.
Toshiba said: “The supercritical CO2 power cycle system achieves the same level of generating efficiency as a combined-cycle power plant.
“It separates and collects CO2 at high-pressure, eliminating the need for separate carbon capture equipment or processes, and secures full CO2 capture without any increase in the cost of electricity.”
The plant uses supercritical CO2 as a working fluid to produce low cost electricity while eliminating emissions of nitrogen oxides and other pollutants.
In March, NET Power started constructing the 50MW demonstration plant, which is said to be the first of its kind and is designed produce low-cost electricity from natural gas.
While Exelon will operate and maintain the plant, CB&I is responsible for engineering, procurement, and construction of the plant.
Image: Toshiba Turbine for Supercritical CO2 Power Cycle System for Demonstration Plant. Photo courtesy of Toshiba Corporation.