Siemens Energy signs an agreement with Canada-based TC Energy Corporation to commission a novel waste heat-to-power pilot installation in Alberta. The facility will reportedly capture waste heat from a gas-fired turbine operating at a pipeline compression station and convert it into emissions-free power. The electricity produced will be put back into the grid– resulting in estimated greenhouse gas reductions of 44,000 tons per year, equivalent to taking more than 9,000 vehicles off the road, according to Siemens Energy. As part of the agreement with TC Energy, Siemens Energy will build, own and operate the facility, with the option for ownership to be transferred back to TC Energy at a later date.
At the heart of the facility will be a heat recovery process designed by Siemens Energy. The patented technology, licensed under Echogen Intellectual Property, is based on an advanced Rankine cycle and uses supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) as the working fluid to convert waste heat into power. Because of its properties, sCO2 can interact more directly with the heat source than water/steam, eliminating the need for a secondary thermal loop, typically required in traditional waste heat recovery systems, according to the company.
By deploying sCO2-based waste heat recovery solutions, midstream operators can reportedly realize greater value than traditional alternatives based on organic Rankine or steam cycles. Benefits include a 25 – 40% smaller footprint than steam-based systems, a 10% increase in compressor station efficiency and the capability to produce clean, emissions-free electricity, according to Siemens Energy. Because the working fluid is contained within a closed-loop system, no boiler operator is required, making the system suitable for remote operation.
The pilot project is supported by $8 million in funding from Emissions Reduction Alberta’s (ERA) Industrial Efficiency Challenge. The new facility is expected to be commissioned toward the end of 2022 and could generate enough electricity to power more than 10,000 homes, according to the company.
For more information, visit: www.siemens-energy.com
