Economic analysis of near-term California hydrogen infrastructure

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is a recognized technology pathway to curb the increasing emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the power generation sector. But most available technologies are still on the study or laboratory-scale level, so that considerable R&D efforts are needed to achieve commercialization level. The Graz Cycle originally presented in 1995 by Jericha [1] is an oxyfuel technology and promises highest efficiency using state-of-the-art turbine materials and improved thermodynamic developments in a comparatively complex interaction of rotating machinery, condensers and heat exchanger components. But although detailed conceptual design for all main components has been presented, there is still a large step towards a Graz Cycle pilot demonstration plant. In order to facilitate construction of a demonstration plant we consider the performance of a near-term Graz Cycle process design based on modest cycle data and available turbomachinery components using a simplified flow scheme. The work is supported by on-going development work for a first generation oxyfuel turbine that has already been undertaken by Clean Energy Systems, Inc. [2]. Their further work on a second generation oxyfuel turbine received $30 million funding support from the U.S. Department of Energy in September 2010 [3]. Two near-term Graz Cycle plants are presented based on basic and advanced operating conditions of the proposed commercially available turbine. Besides the turbine the additional equipment for a first-generation cycle is discussed. The predicted optimum net efficiency is 23.2% (HHV). A near-term zero-emission power plant can only be commercially attractive if it will be deployed in a niche market. Therefore an economic analysis commensurate with an early pre-FEED conceptual study is carried out for the U.S. Gulf Coast where revenue from multiple product streams that could include power, steam, CO2 and water, as well as argon and (potentially) nitrogen from the ASU is provided. The economic analysis suggests that a capital investment of $94 million can secure construction of a 13.2 MWe zero emission oxyfuel power plant and yield a 14.5% (unlevered) return on capital invested.

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Implementing a Hydrogen Energy Infrastructure:Storage Options and System Design

MRS Proceedings ◽

10.1557/proc-0895-g02-01 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 895 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Joan Ogden ◽

Christopher Yang

Keyword(s):

Hydrogen Storage ◽

System Design ◽

Energy Use ◽

Hydrogen Energy ◽

Transportation Fuel ◽

Hydrogen Supply ◽

Hydrogen Infrastructure ◽

Near Term ◽

Key Barrier ◽

Design Cost

AbstractThe development of a hydrogen infrastructure has been identified as a key barrier to implementing hydrogen as for a future transportation fuel. Several recent studies of hydrogen infrastructure have assessed near-term and long-term alternatives for hydrogen supply [1-2]. In this paper, we discuss how advances in material science related to hydrogen storage could change how a future hydrogen infrastructure is designed. Using a simplified engineering/economic model for hydrogen infrastructure design and cost, we explore some potential impacts of advances in storage materials, in terms of system design, cost, energy use, and greenhouse gas emissions. We find that the characteristics of hydrogen storage play a major role in the design, cost, energy use, and CO2 emissions of hydrogen supply infrastructure.

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A Premature Postmortem on the Chicago School of Antitrust

The Business History Review ◽

10.1017/s0007680519001193 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 93 (4) ◽

pp. 759-776 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Daniel A. Crane

Keyword(s):

Economic Analysis ◽

Consumer Welfare ◽

Chicago School ◽

Vested Interest ◽

Antitrust Enforcement ◽

Political Pressure ◽

The Creation ◽

Laissez Faire ◽

Near Term

The Chicago School of antitrust is often thought to have killed off antitrust enforcement beginning in the late 1970s. In fact, although Chicago school prescriptions were significantly more laissez-faire than the structuralist school Chicago replaced, antitrust enforcement did not die under Chicago's influence. Rather, by directing antitrust to focus on technical economic analysis, Chicago contributed to the creation of a large and entrenched class of antitrust professionals—economists and lawyers—with a vested interest in preserving antitrust as a legal and regulatory enterprise. Today, Chicago School's consumer welfare standard and specific enforcement prescriptions are coming increasingly under political pressure and may be replaced or supplemented in the near term. But Chicago's redirection of antitrust toward technical economic analysis and technocratic reasoning seems likely to remain a durable legacy.

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