The MoU signing ceremony in Kawasaki, Japan. From L-R: Jeremee Wetherby, GE Vernova, Shinichi Kihara, METI’s Director-General for Energy & Environmental Policy, and Kensuke Suzuki, Head of New Technology, Toshiba’s Power Systems Division (Image credit: Toshiba)

Toshiba Energy Systems and solutions Corp and GE Vernova have signed a memorandum of understanding to work together on an integrated gas turbine combined cycle (GTCC) carbon capture solution to reduce power plant CO2 emissions. The solution will combine GE Vernova’s exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system with Toshiba’s carbon capture solution, which utilises Toshiba’s proprietary solvent.

This initiative is related to the recently created ‘focus group’ of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and GE Vernova.

The collaboration aims to improve the efficiency of CO2 separation and capture by integrating the two company’s respective technologies in GTCC power plants in Japan and other parts of Asia, where GE Vernova supplies or will supply the gas turbines. Toshiba and GE Vernova have jointly conducted comprehensive feasibility studies with leading utility companies operating GTCC power plants across Japan. These studies, completed prior to the signing of the MoU, confirmed the significant potential of the collaboration.

METI’s director-general for Energy and Environmental Policy, Shinichi Kihara said: “We welcome this initiative, to achieve decarbonisation of the power generation by utilising CCUS technology, as there is a global urgency to simultaneously achieve stable energy supply, economic growth, and decarbonisation towards the global common goal of achieving net-zero.”

Takehiko Matsushita, vp of Toshiba’s Power Systems Division, said: “While thermal power plants offer a constant supply of electricity and are a primary power source, a growing global commitment to environmental sustainability has made cutting CO2 emissions from these facilities a crucial and immediate goal. Through our collaboration with GE Vernova, we aim to advance EGR and CO2 capture systems in Japan and other parts of Asia.”

Jeremee Wetherby, carbon solutions Leader at GE Vernova, commented: “We are pleased to explore the benefits from our steam integration, exhaust gas recirculation system, and high gas turbine backpressure solutions with Toshiba’s extensive expertise in engineering and constructing of steam cycle systems. These steam systems are critical to the performance of GTCC power plants and will be important design considerations to maximise the performance of the capture systems, as well as reducing the decline in power output that occurs when CO2 capture systems are integrated.”