GE is providing the IGCC technology for Duke’s Edwardsport facility, which is expected to be a commercial IGCC plant in 2012.
Catherine Heigel, president of Duke Energy Carolinas, South Carolina, said: “With GE Energy’s advanced technology, we are building one of the cleanest and most efficient coal-fired plants in the world. This project demonstrates our commitment to building a clean energy economy for our communities.”
Monte Atwell, general manager—gasification at GE Power & Water, said: “GE Energy’s IGCC technology embodies the company’s commitment to powering the world with cleaner energy products. It helps preserve a role for coal in a cleaner energy economy, both here in the US and around the world.”
GE Energy’s IGCC technology solution converts coal to gas. Pollutants such as NOx, SOx, Mercury and particulate matter are then removed from the gas. IGCC offers the ability to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) prior to combustion, providing an efficient, economical and commercially feasible means of reducing this greenhouse gas when compared to a traditional coal plant, the company said.
The company added that the two GE 7F syngas turbines, which will operate on cleaner burning syngas fuel produced from coal, were manufactured in GE’s Greenville, South Carolina, plant. The first turbine was shipped to Edwardsport in early April. When complete, Duke’s Edwardsport plant with 618MW capacity will generate enough electricity to power nearly 500,000 homes.
