Schlumberger, Chevron and Microsoft are teaming up for a bioenergy project to produce carbon negative power in Mendota, California. The project will integrate Clean Energy Systems too, and will use carbon capture sequestration.
Firstly, the bioenergy with carbon capture sequestration (BECCS) project will turn agricultural waste biomass, like almond trees, into a renewable synthesis that, mixed with oxygen, will turn into a combustor to produce electricity.
Secondly, about 99% of the carbon dioxide for the BECCS process will be captured for permanent storage by injecting it underground, in neighboring geological formations. With the use of this bioenergy, the consortium expects to produce a biomass fuel that consumes CO2.
In fact, the process is specifically designed to result in net-negative carbon emissions, effectively removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. When operational, the plant will remove around 300,000 tons of CO2 annually. This is equivalent to emissions from electricity use of more than 65,000 U.S. households.
Moreover, every year, the bioenergy project will use around 20,000 tons of agricultural waste. The project is also in line with the California Air Resources Control Board to phase out the agricultural burning by 2025.
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Bioenergy project for California will begin front end design right away
“The bioenergy technology is designed to operate without routine emissions of nitrous oxide; also, carbon monoxide and particulates from combustion produced by conventional biomass plants.” The statement underlines.
In addition, the companies involved will start front end design and engineering right away. Although an investment figure was not disclosed, a final investment decision will come in 2022; “and will then evaluate other opportunities to scale this carbon capture and sequestration solution.”
On the other hand, Schlumberger New Energy Executive VP, Ashok Belani, said. “We are diversifying our portfolio of projects with partnerships in selected markets; where existing policies and regulations can make projects attractive today. This unique BECCS project in California is a game-changing example of this.”
Finally, Bruce Niemeyer, Chevron’s VP of strategy and sustainability, said. “We look forward to leveraging our experience working in California, building projects which can be repeated, and operating large-scale carbon capture and storage operations. The project is in line with our focus on investments in low-carbon technology to enable commercial solutions.”
