Hanwha Power Systems Partners with TC Energy for Carbon-Free sCO2 Power Generation

Hanwha Power Systems Co., Ltd. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with TC Energy to collaborate on developing a supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) waste heat recovery (WHR) project. The initiative will utilize the heat generated at a natural gas pipeline compressor station. The project aims to capture and recover unused waste heat from a gas turbine compressor set, offering a sustainable solution to generate lower-cost, carbon-free power.

The partnership will install a sCO2 power generation system at a TC Energy-owned compressor station in West Virginia. Additionally, an undisclosed gas turbine original equipment manufacturer (OEM) will verify the integration of gas turbines with Hanwha’s sCO2 system, ensuring an efficient combined power generation solution. 

Operating under specific temperatures (above 31ºC) and pressure (74 bar), sCO2 behaves like both a liquid and a gas, making it an ideal medium for efficient power generation. Hanwha’s system integrates this property with its advanced turbomachinery technology, operating the sCO2 in a closed-loop system for optimal energy recovery.

Hanwha Power Systems will utilize the sCO2 commercialization project to expand its footprint in the North American pipeline market. This partnership with TC Energy demonstrates the commercial feasibility of supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) power generation. The project is expected to pave the way for large-scale deployment of sCO2 systems in the industry, reducing carbon emissions and enhancing energy efficiency.

This approach is expected to offer a range of benefits, including high efficiency, a small footprint, and a modular design. Moreover, the system will be entirely water-free. It will not require fossil-fuel combustion, making it an environmentally friendly solution for reducing the carbon intensity of natural gas pipeline operations. By utilizing waste heat that would otherwise go unused, the system will produce clean, emissions-free electricity.

Justin (Koo Yung) Lee, CEO of Hanwha Power Systems, stated, “This MOU with TC Energy brings us one step closer to the successful commercialization of sCO2 power generation systems. We will continue contributing to carbon reduction in the oil and gas market by expanding the application of sCO2 power systems across various compressor stations.”

Globally, sCO2 technology is gaining traction as a transformative approach to power generation. The STEP Demo pilot plant in San Antonio is among the most significant facilities demonstrating this innovation. Operating at speeds of up to 27,000 RPM and temperatures that will eventually reach 500°C, the facility is testing the scalability of sCO2 systems. 

Despite its compact size—about one-tenth of traditional power plant components—the pilot plant is projected to produce up to 10 MWe upon completion in 2025.