Swedish energy group Vattenfall has unveiled plans to build the world's first carbon dioxide-free coal-fired facility.
The 30 MWt plant will be developed next door to the Schwarze Pumpe coal-fired station near Spremberg in Brandenburg, Germany, and Vattenfall plans to invest some €40 million in the project. The lignite-fired plant will be operated using pure oxygen and recycled carbon dioxide firing - so called oxyfuel technology - and the carbon dioxide formed in the combustion process will then be undiluted enough to be readily separated and stored, most likely in underground caves. Initially the plant will be a combustion-only facility. Connection to a heat load or a generator may be contemplated at a later date.
The plant is expected to begin operation in 2008. The project is being conducted in collaboration with leading research institutes at German universities.
Lars Stromberg of Vattenfall will be revealing details of the project for the first time in public at MPS' EXPPERTS emissions reduction conference starting Monday 23rd May in London. Visit the MPS Home Page for programme details and information about attendance.
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