Surat Basin CCS Project (Wandoan)
Brief description:
Facts:
To build a new 400MW power station using IGCC technology and incorporating CCS
The former Wandoan Power project, a joint venture by GE Energy and Stanwell Corporation to build and operate a 400MW IGCC power station with CCS, is being restructured. The resulting Surat Basin CCS Project is now expected to be operational by 2020 and will capture arouond 1Mtpa of CO2.
The proposed site is near Wandoan in Queensland’s Surat Basin, 200km from potential deep geological storage sites. A detailed study of these will form part of the feasibility study.
The original project was to employ GE’s IGCC technology – already proven at commercial scale – which converts coal into syngas to feed a syngas and steam turbine combined-cycle system.
The area has a well-developed energy infrastructure, and the power generated would help meet demand in South East Queensland. Wandoan Power is working with Xstrata Coal to ensure a long-term coal supply and develop CO2 storage options.
In November 2011, Australia's national research agency CSIRO published a literature review as part of the management of basin resources, and of direct relevance to the Collie Hub, CarbonNet and Wandoan CCS projects. This review contains information on identified resources, geological assessments and an analysis of data still required by the three key projects.
No further details are available.
Financing
In December 2009, Wandoan Power announced it had been shortlisted for the next stage of the Australian government’s CCS Flagship Program – part of the Clean Energy Initiative set up in May 2009. The project has also applied to the Queensland Clean Coal Council and Australian Coal Association’s COAL 21 Fund for help in sourcing funding.
Timing
Current focus is on the development of CO2 storage reservoirs and community engagement. A pre-feasibility study has been completed and the project is now awaiting decisions on funding and various approvals before beginning the feasibility study. The partners estimate that design and development will take two years with a further four to six years for construction. Start-up was planned for late 2015 or early 2016, but the project was cancelled in 2014 and other options for CCS are considered.