Feasibility Analysis of Internally Fired s-CO2 Cycle for Energy Transition

Abstract

Decarbonization of the energy sector by switching to low-carbon renewables is inevitable for a sustainable future. However, the intermittent and variable nature of low-carbon renewables, like wind and solar, poses several challenges when integrated into the existing energy grids. This is one of the main factors slowing down the transition to a more sustainable energy model. Long-term energy storage solutions are expected to alleviate these issues. The technologies currently available for this application (PHS and CAES) have a limited sustainable deployment potential which makes power-to-gas (P2G) technology, the only long-term strategy that can ensure decarbonization of the future global economy. Green hydrogen, a fundamental part of this concept, is the critical energy technology that can catalyze a paradigm shift in the existing energy markets. Yet, a widescale deployment of this technology is currently limited by several factors including low overall conversion efficiency, poor scalability and operational unreliability of fuel cell technology, high overall costs, absence of necessary infrastructure etc. This research project aims to propose a highly efficient combustion-based power cycle that can address several issues commonly associated with H2-based power generation application of the fuel-cell technology. Preliminary analysis identified that the s-CO2 Brayton cycle was the most suitable candidate for this application and thus, a thermodynamic analysis was conducted to determine the feasibility for this solution. This report documents the work completed in this project and proposes a novel oxy-combustion based green H2 fuelled s-CO2 power cycle concept as an alternative to the existing H2-based distributed power generation systems.