[23.1.07]
The first phase of the ZENG Risavika concept study was completed in December 2006. The study results show two alternative plant process cycles which will be studied further in collaboration with key technology suppliers. The power generation process being developed will result in zero emission of both CO2 and NOx, and it provides an alternative to conventional gas-fired power plants with post-combustion CO2 capture.
The Managing Director, Frank Blaker says;
--The main challenge for ZENG AS is to demonstrate that this process can achieve satisfactory efficiency so that zero emission power generation with CO2 capture becomes economic and competitive. A lot of engineering and development work remains to be done before we can present a final development plan for the Risavika project. Our study results confirm that the oxyfuel process cycle has a great potential technically. The second phase of the study will tell us more about the economics of the concept and whether the gas turbine manufacturing industry will accept our invitation to take part in the further development of the project. The Risavika demonstration plant will provide a unique opportunity for an early demonstration and testing of new technology.
One of the key technologies being considered in the ZENG Risavika concept is a gas generator developed by Clean Energy Systems, USA (CES) that enables combustion of natural gas and oxygen to form CO2 and steam. The gas generator has been developed as a spin-off from the U.S. space industry and has already been demonstrated on a smaller scale by CES in their pilot power plant in California.
Frank Blaker says:
--An investment decision for the Risavika demonstration plant will require a commitment from a gas turbine manufacturer to develop a gas turbine which can handle the CO2/steam drivegas at high temperatures. We are now launcing initial technical studies together with leading turbine manufacturers in order to get a better picture of the design requirements, costs and development schedule for such a turbine.
ZENG AS intends to present the main results of the concept definition study to Gassnova and its industry partners before the summer.
Contacts:
Frank Blaker, Managing Director (cell phone: +47 480 01 320)
Jan Arvid Øvestad, Board Chairman (cellp hone: +47 934 88 164)
