Western Australia’s regional energy provider Horizon Power has completed a pioneering trial to test the application of carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS) technology to decarbonise diesel generators.
Findings from the three-month trial in Perth will inform the potential deployment of this novel technology more broadly across Horizon Power’s regional footprint.
Related article: Western Australia unveils CCUS Action Plan
Horizon Power partnered with Kapture, a Melbourne-based start-up, on the pilot trial.
The pilot tested the application of Kapture’s novel carbon capture technology that can directly capture CO2 emissions from the exhaust of a diesel generator and store the CO2 as a sediment for later sequestration into concrete. Kapture has successfully demonstrated the permanent sequestration of captured CO2 into concrete production through its partnership with Permacast in Perth.
During the trial, Horizon Power and Kapture carefully measured the impact of the technology on genset performance and the efficiency of the carbon capture, utilising a standalone power system (SPS) generator to test the technology’s effectiveness.
The Kapture product is in the early stages of development and this pilot trial was the first ‘real world’ technology test outside of laboratory conditions.
Horizon Power’s acting CEO Krystal Skinner said the trial provided the utility with the chance to work closely with Kapture to explore the opportunity for the decarbonisation of remote and regional power supplies, benefiting regional customers and their environment.
“We are excited to be working with Kapture to advance the development of their carbon capture, usage and storage technology, testing its capabilities for reducing CO2 emission across our regions,” she said.
Related article: Australia’s latest emissions data reveal we still have a giant fossil fuel problem
“This trial supports the development of a later in-field trial to highlight the opportunity for the decarbonisation of service delivery using existing assets, supporting a cleaner, greener future for our regional and remote customers.
“Diesel fuel is difficult and costly to abate in small regional microgrids. Horizon Power is focused on increasing the use of renewable energy in our systems, but in the meantime, it is important for us to do everything we can to reduce our carbon footprint.”
