| Synopsis: |
The impact of a portfolio of advanced technologies in DOE's Clean Coal R&D Program were evaluated in gasification-based power plant configurations (without carbon capture and sequestration) resulting in power plants that are significantly more efficient and affordable than today's limited set of fossil energy technologies. In the IGCC process alone, the study estimates that an 11 percentage point efficiency improvement over conventional gasification technology is possible. With fuel cell technology, process efficiency improvements upwards of 24 percentage points are potentially achievable. Capital cost reductions result not only from less expensive technology alternatives such as warm gas cleanup and ITM air separation, but also from increased power generation brought about by advanced technology such as syngas turbines, resulting in cumulative total plant cost reductions by as much as $700/kW. Improvements in process efficiency, reductions in capital and operating expense, and increase in capacity factor all contribute to decreased cost of electricity (COE), projecting an overall decrease by more than 3 cents/kW-hr, or a decrease of 35 percent.
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Deepwater Technology