SAGE: Strategic Approaches to the Generation of Electricity

Jochen Lauterbach

1

“The center will focus on developing, improving, and advancing technologies

to enhance the environmental performance of electricity production“

Central Electric Power Cooperative, Inc.

“Power generation is the largest and fastest-growing energy sector. By 2030, power generation will account for 40 percent of all energy demand.”

Outlook for Energy – A View to 2030, Exxon Mobil, 2009

Coal and our Energy Future

• Lowest cost for base-load electricity generation.

• Coal resources are widely distributed around the world.

3

4

Direct Impact on SC Population

• Electricity usage in SC: #3 in per capita and #5 per GDP1 in the US.

• Low electricity cost essential:– Low average income2 – Hot weather– Electric heating– Mobil home energy inefficiency.– Further industrial/manufacturing growth.

• New EPA regulations for SOx, NOx, mercury.• CO2 capture and sequestration technologies.

1) http://www.statemaster.com/cat/ene-energy2) US Cencus Bureau

Economic Opportunities for SC

• Global energy economy is developing rapidly. • Estimated 2 million jobs in US new energy economy.• Innovation is first step for SC participating in the new energy economy.• Creation of new technology-based businesses.• Center complements other long-term initiatives at USC:

– Solar, hydrogen, nuclear, biomass,…

– Excellent nano-technology facilities.

University of California Berkley, Clean Energy and Climate Policy for U.S. Growth and Job Creation, October 2009.Breakthrough Institute, 2010

7

SAGE Research Thrusts

• Emissions control technologies– CO2, NOx, SOx, trace metals: Hg, Se, As etc.

– Novel measurement technologies for trace metal speciation

• Combustion technologies– Air-firing, oxy-firing, gasification of coal

8

Current Status of SAGE

• Full endowment received

• Laboratory facilities by March 2012

• New jobs created:– 3 faculty– 2.5 staff– 2 post-docs– 10 graduate students– 9 undergraduate researchers

9

SAGE Organizational Structure

10

Example –JP-8 Reforming• Defense Advanced Research Project Agency• Three USC SmartState chairs & Engenuity SC• Goal: Discover material to convert NATO jet fuel to LPG-

like fuel for use in portable fuel cell power pack fuel cells

http://www.sfc.com/en/man-portable-jenny.html

11

Discovery of a Novel MaterialT (oC) Metha. Ethylene Ethane Propylene Propane 1-butene Butane Total

C2-C4

350 0.00% 0.30% 0.00% 1.82% 2.70% 1.65% 2.15% 8.62%

550 0.56% 5.36% 1.16% 7.28% 3.66% 2.13% 1.81% 21.40%

11

High-throughput methodology has identified novel materials that exceed the specifications for threshold fuel conversion efficiency for JP-8•New catalysts offer lower-T conversion above 20% •After 50 hours, we still reach over 8% conversion

Within 7 months, a new catalyst was identified and we now exceed the

target

12

Jet Fuel Project

• Next steps:– Protect intellectual property (US patent

filed)

– Partner with local business to design and build prototype

– Manufacture commercial system in SC

14

Electricity Production in SC

2009, Department of Energy

15

JP-8 Reforming

Hydrocarbon Type

JP-8 (%)

Paraffins 71

Alkylbenzenes 19

Naphthalenes 6.2

Olefins 3.5

Balance 0.3

SS

Benzothiophenes

Dibenzothiophenes

• Objective: Flexible fuels for portable power applications

– Production of liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)• Mixture of C1-C4 hydrocarbons, with a high

concentration of C3 and C4• Fuel conversion Efficiency greater 5% (kg

LPG out/kg JP-8 in)• No other feed, just air

• Challenges– Coking – Sulfur tolerance

• JP-8 may contain up to 3,000 ppmw sulfur– Well-defined S-containing product distribution

• Adapt existing clean coal technology for removal

15