Publications:

Advanced Coal Power Systems

• Cost of Electricity Calculation Tool [XLS-50KB] (June 2008)
  This spreadsheet calculates the levelized cost of electricity for fuel cell systems that are integrated with gasification; costs are scaled from recent NETL coal-based power plant cost estimates. Supporting Methodology Document [PDF-159KB] (June 2008)

Retrofitting and Repowering PC Power Plants for CO₂ Capture

• Reducing CO₂ Emissions by Improving the Efficiency of the Existing Coal-fired Power Plant Fleet [PDF-1.4MB] (July 2008) Accompanying PowerPoint Slides [PDF-1.2MB]
  This analysis shows that the average efficiency of the best performing pulverized coal plants in the United States could be improved from the current level of 32%, to 37%.
• Volume III: Consumer and Producer Surplus Effects [PDF-985KB] (Apr 2008)
  This is a follow-up to Volumes I and II . A methodology was devised to estimate net benefits from standard National Energy Modeling System (NEMS) output.
  
• Volume II: Adding PC Repowering to NEMS, Integrated Assessments [PDF-926KB] (Jan 2008)
  This study envisions repowering by means of Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) technology configured for capture and sequestration (CCS).  Cost and performance factors were added to the National Energy Modeling System (NEMS) for a brownfield setting, wherein the site’s ancillary equipment and infrastructure is used, but not its existing steam turbine.
• Volume I: Adding PC Retrofits to NEMS - Initial Testing [PDF-1.1MB] (Jan 2008)
  An integrated analysis was undertaken using a generic model of retrofit costs as a function of basic plant characteristics (such as heat rate) in the National Energy Modeling System (NEMS). Modifications to NEMS were made to determine tradeoffs between retrofit, retirement, and the purchase of emission allowances.
• Brownfield IGCCs as an Option in the National Energy Modeling System (NEMS) [PDF-854KB] (Feb 2007)
  This report presents a methodology for calculating capital costs for a brownfield IGCC as a retrofit option for PC plants, relative to the greenfield cost.

Fossil Fuel Resources

• Storing CO₂ and Producing Domestic Crude Oil with Next Generation CO₂-EOR Technology [PDF-787KB] (Jan 2009)
  This report examines and quantifies the benefits of integrating CO₂ storage with “next generation” enhanced oil recovery practices. Four “next generation” CO₂-EOR technology options are identified and described, and the potential additional amounts of oil recovered and CO₂ stored by using these technologies are quantified.
• Assessing Future Supply Curves for Coal In Light Of Economic, Technological and Environmental Uncertainties [PDF-1.8MB] (Nov 2008)
  This study provides an analysis of the costs to continue mining in the U.S., as well as discussion of supply availability and environmental costs.  To better understand these costs, it is imperative to better understand unit operations timing, individual mine plans, productivity and costs, and to obtain more detailed and thorough measurements of coal reserves in all coal basins regardless of whether it is producing.  It is also of importance to better develop a better understanding of coal mining’s interaction with the surrounding ecosystem.
• Multi-Seam Well Completion Technology Implications for Powder River Basin Coalbed Methane Production:  2008 Update [PDF-4.3MB] (Oct 2008)
  This study shows that MSC Technology can appreciably improve the outlook for CBM development in the Powder River Basin, by improving reserves-per-well and reducing environmental impact.  The challenge is to capture the “lessons learned” from successes,  treat new wells/reservoirs as unique and to utilize different completion technologies as needed, such as slotted liners, to maximize success.
• Storing CO₂ with Enhanced Oil Recovery [PDF-1.7MB] (Feb 2008)
  This study examines and quantifies the benefits of integrating CO₂ storage with enhanced oil recovery (EOR). It also estimates the size of the U.S. CO₂ market available from enhanced oil recovery and how this market could support “early market entry” of carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) technology.
• Primer on CO₂ Enhanced Oil Recovery [PDF-5MB] (Apr 2008)
  This slide presentation contains an overview of enhanced oil recovery (EOR).  Topics such as recovery mechanisms, sweep efficiency, CO₂ sources and fluid properties, injection techniques, and more are covered.

GHG Emissions Scenario Analysis

• Spreadsheet Tool for Calculating the Material Flows in a PHEV-CO2EOR-CCS-CBTL System [XLS-217KB] (Jan 2009)
  This tool models two systems where plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are fueled by electricity from a coal-fired power plant with CO₂ capture and storage (CCS) and either (1) gasoline refined from petroleum or (2) diesel fuel produced from a coal and/or biomass to liquids plant with CCS. Each scenario allows use of the captured CO₂ for enhanced oil recovery. The model determines the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions and compares this value to a conventional vehicle powered solely by petroleum-based fuels.
• CarBen Wedge-based Spreadsheet Tool for Analyzing U.S. GHG Emissions Scenarios [XLS-6MB] (May 2008)
  CarBen is a tool for determining the reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by sector based on user-supplied changes to the baseline such as electricity supply options, transportation sector fuel demand and fuel use, non-CO₂ GHG emission abatement, carbon pricing, and international offsets.

Water Issues

• Water Requirements for Existing and Emerging Thermoelectric Plant Technologies [PDF-1MB] (Oct 2008)
  This study provides both water consumption and cooling duty factors for Nuclear, PC (Subcritical and Supercritical), IGCC, and NGCC power plants. Data is provided for both CO₂ capture and no CO₂ capture configurations of each type of plant.
  
• Water Vapor from Thermoelectric Power Plants, Does it Impact Climate? [PDF-826KB] (May 2008)
  The quanity of water vapor from power plants is compared to the amount of water from the natural evaporation/precipitation cycle.
  
• Water Impacts of Coal Power [PDF-885KB] (Dec 2007)
  The effect of increased deployment of advanced coal conversion technologies on domestic water use and consumption is estimated.

GPRA Analyses

• Economic Impacts of Increased Domestic Oil and Gas Production [XLS-6MB] (Oct 2008)
  Spreadsheet-based tool uses input/output modeling methods to estimate the regional and national economic impacts of domestic production of crude oil and natural gas versus imports. Assesses the application of advanced exploration and production technology to the Marcellus Shale, the Bakken Shale, the Barnett Shale and other plays of interest. Associated Methodology Document [PDF-1.4MB]
• Impact of Cost Escalation on Power System R&D GPRA Goals [PDF-1.2MB] (Aug 2008)
  This report recommends updates to goals for three technology areas in the Clean Coal R&D Program: Advanced Power Systems (APS); Carbon Sequestration (CS); and Fuel Cells (FC) to account for cost escalation, and it contains a definition of the baseline used to set these goals. Slides [PDF-310KB]
• Deployment of Advanced Coal Power in the U.S. under a Range of Carbon Tax Scenarios [PDF-1.1MB] (Jan 2008)
  The National Energy Modeling System (NEMS) was exercised to forecast market penetration for advanced coal power with CO₂ capture under a range of CO₂ emission tax scenarios, considering market-based incentives for low carbon emission power and improved technology performance consistent with the DOE/FE research portfolio.

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