Siemens Energy to build first-of-its-kind waste heat-to-power facility in Canada with $8 Million in funding from Emissions Reduction Alberta
Source: · SIEMENS ENERGY · | February 12, 2021
Source: Siemens Energy
The pilot installation will convert waste heat from a gas turbine into emissions-free power using supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2)
Enough electricity will be produced to power 10,000+ homes, resulting in an estimated reduction in 44,000 tons per year in greenhouse gas emissions
Siemens Energy has signed an agreement with Canada-based TC Energy Corporation (TC Energy) to commission a novel waste heat-to-power pilot installation in Alberta. The facility will capture waste heat from a gas-fired turbine operating at a pipeline compression station and convert it into emissions-free power. The electricity produced will be put back into the grid– resulting in estimated greenhouse gas reductions of 44,000 tons per year, equivalent to taking more than 9,000 vehicles off the road.
As part of the agreement with TC Energy, Siemens Energy will build, own, and operate the facility, with the option for ownership to be transferred back to TC Energy at a later date.
At the heart of the facility will be an innovative heat recovery process designed by Siemens Energy. The patented technology, licensed under Echogen® Intellectual Property, is based on an advanced Rankine Cycle and uses supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) as the working fluid to convert waste heat into power. Because of its properties, sCO2 can interact more directly with the heat source than water/steam, eliminating the need for a secondary thermal loop, typically required in traditional waste heat recovery systems.
By deploying sCO2-based waste heat recovery solutions, midstream operators can realize greater value than traditional alternatives based on Organic Rankine or steam cycles. Benefits include a 25 – 40 percent smaller footprint than steam-based systems, a 10 percent increase in compressor station efficiency, and the capability to produce clean, emissions-free electricity. Moreover, because the working fluid is contained within a closed-loop system, no boiler operator is required, making the system suitable for remote operation.
“This pilot project is a testament not only to our extensive capabilities but also to Siemens Energy’s broader commitment to bring new technologies to market that can support decarbonization in the oil and gas industry,” said Arja Talakar, Senior Vice President, Industrial Applications Products for Siemens Energy. “We are proud to partner with TC Energy to build this first-of-its-kind facility and look forward to scaling the technology to other installations in the coming years.”