by A groundbreaking pilot plant in San Antonio, Texas, called the Supercritical Transformational Electric Power (STEP), has recently been declared “mechanically complete.” This project, in collaboration with Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), GTI Energy, GE Vernova, and the U.S. Department of Energy, aims to showcase the potential of supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) as a more cost-effective and efficient medium than water for power generation.
Traditionally, steam turbines have been the primary source of power generation worldwide. However, supercritical CO2 has the potential to revolutionize the industry. Studies have shown that using supercritical CO2 as a medium can increase efficiency by 10% compared to water, while also allowing for the use of smaller turbines, which are approximately 10 times smaller than traditional steam turbines.
The centerpiece of the STEP pilot plant is the world’s first supercritical CO2 turbine, which is approximately the size of a desk but capable of generating 10 megawatts of power, enough to supply electricity to around 10,000 homes. Although 10 megawatts may seem relatively small in the energy industry, achieving this level of power output with such a compact turbine is a remarkable feat.
Supercritical CO2 fluid is formed when the temperature and pressure exceed 31 °C (88 °F) and 74 bar (1,070 psi), respectively. At this point, CO2 stops behaving like a gas or a liquid and instead takes on properties similar to those of a gas with the density of a liquid. This unique characteristic makes it an ideal medium for energy extraction in a closed-loop system.
In 2016, General Electric announced its plans to build the pilot plant to demonstrate the viability of supercritical CO2 technology in a commercially relevant installation. The goal was to achieve a power output of 10 MW with an extraction efficiency of 50%, surpassing the efficiency of current steam turbines operating in the mid-40s. Additionally, the supercritical CO2 turbine is significantly smaller than traditional turbines, which reduces capital costs and land requirements for power generation facilities.
The benefits extend beyond cost savings – supercritical CO2 turbines are also faster to start up and respond to load demands. Prototypes developed by GE can generate power within two minutes, compared to traditional steam turbines, which can take at least half an hour. This quick response time makes supercritical CO2 turbines even more suitable for integration into renewable energy grids.
Once the pilot plant proves the effectiveness of the technology, it has the potential to be scaled up for utility-relevant applications, potentially replacing steam turbines in various power plants, including those fueled by coal, gas, nuclear, geothermal, and concentrated solar energy.
While there is still work to be done before the pilot plant is commissioned, the consortium expects operations to begin in 2024. Adam Hamilton, the President, and CEO of SwRI, expressed excitement about the project, stating that the STEP pilot plant has the potential to revolutionize power generation and is a testament to the revolutionary technology developed at SwRI.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
Money Singh is a seasoned content writer with over four years of experience in the market research sector. Her expertise spans various industries, including food and beverages, biotechnology, chemicals and materials, defense and aerospace, consumer goods, etc.
