[LINK] Aussie green power

[stephen at melbpc.org.au]

REPORT REVEALS CARBON CAPTURE COSTS COULD BE REDUCED  19 February 2009

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/minister-for-energy-resources/report-
reveals-carbon-capture-costs-could-be-reduced.html


A new Brumby Government-funded study has found ways to significantly 
reduce the cost of adapting carbon capture technology for Victorian power 
stations, Energy and Resources Minister Peter Batchelor announced today. 

“The Brumby Government is taking action to help power stations reduce 
greenhouse gas emissions and move to a low-carbon future,” Mr Batchelor 
said.

“Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology is recognised across the 
world as a way of potentially making deep cuts to greenhouse gas 
emissions.
 
“This study provides new insight into how Victorian power stations can 
substantially reduce the cost of implementing technology to capture 
carbon in preparation for storage deep underground.

“Previous modelling has looked at stand alone carbon capture technology 
which can be bolted on to existing power stations.

“However, this modelling study developed methods for integrating carbon 
capture technology into both new and existing power stations, which could 
cut the overall cost of introducing this technology by as much as 25 per 
cent.”

Mr Batchelor said CCS was still in its infancy, so had high costs which 
could be a significant barrier for power companies wanting to implement 
the technology.

“By driving down the cost of implementing carbon capture we can help 
ensure power stations adopt this technology sooner,” he said.

“The report has been completed as part of the $5.6 million Latrobe Valley 
Post Combustion Capture Project, which is a joint collaboration between 
the Brumby Government, Loy Yang Power and International Power and 
researchers from the CO2CRC and the CSIRO,” he said.
 
Mr Batchelor said the project had been extremely successful when for the 
first time in Australia, CO2 was captured from coal fired electricity 
generation through technology being tested at Loy Yang Power.

Carbon capture and storage involves collecting the large amounts of 
carbon dioxide released by power stations or other emitters and then 
storing these emissions securely deep underground. 

The Brumby Government is supporting extensive research to identify 
suitable carbon storage sites in Victoria, including areas in the 
offshore Gippsland Basin.

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Cheers,
Stephen