The prospects of flexible natural gas-fired CCGT within a green taxonomy

Summary

Despite increased commitments toward net zero, there will likely be a continued need for natural gas to provide low carbon dispatchable power and blue hydrogen to balance the increased penetration of renewables. We evaluate the CO ₂ emissions intensity of electricity produced by (i) natural gas-fired combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plants with carbon capture and storage (CCS), and (ii) blue hydrogen CCGT plants which uses steam methane reforming with CCS to supply H ₂. This study aims to determine whether these assets are able to meet a possible green taxonomy emissions threshold of 100 kg CO ₂ eq/MWh. Key considerations include methane leakage, CO ₂ capture rate, and the impacts of start-up and shut down cycles performed by the CCGT-CCS plant. This study suggests that, in order for natural gas to play an enduring role in the transition toward net zero, managing GHG emissions from both the upstream natural gas supply chain and the conversion facility is key.

Graphical abstract

Highlights

• •

  The green taxonomy has an emissions threshold of 100 kg/MWh

• •

  Under a green taxonomy, managing gas supply chain emissions and the CO ₂ capture facility is a key

• •

  For flexible gas CCGT-CCS, hot SUSD can be frequent, whereas cold SUSD cycles will need to be limited

• •

  Blue hydrogen-CCGT can provide a high degree of flexibility without increasing CO ₂ emissions

Abstract

Energy policy; Energy Modelling; Energy Systems.