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In order to make effective use of fossil fuels and to reduce CO2 emissions, Toshiba Group is working to improve the efficiency of thermal power generation, while at the same time developing various technologies designed to achieve zero-emission thermal power generation.
At present, thermal power generation accounts for approximately 70% of the total amount of electricity produced around the world. However, thermal power generation, which uses fossil fuels, causes more CO2 emissions than other power generation methods. In order to reduce CO2 emissions per unit power produced, Toshiba Group is developing next-generation thermal power technologies aimed at improving plant efficiency and commercializing the CCS*1 (CO2 capture and storage) system.
To improve the efficiency of thermal power generation, it is of vital importance that the temperature of the steam or gas used to rotate the turbines is raised. Toshiba Group is working on the development of ultra-high-temperature materials and cooling technologies in order to commercialize an A-USC*2 system (Advanced Ultra-SuperCritical steam turbine system) more efficient than previous models, which is designed to increase steam temperature from 600°C to above the 700°C mark. In the area of combined cycle power generation using a combination of gas and steam turbines, we are also engaged in jointly developing a power generation system designed to increase gas temperature to the level of 1,500°C with the U.S. company General Electric, which is starting commercial operation in July 2008 in Japan.
Toshiba Group is engaged in the development of CO2 capture and storage (CCS) technology designed to separate and capture CO2 emitted from thermal power plants and other such facilities and then store it underground. More specifically, this development is aimed at commercializing CCS technology. In order to commercialize this technology, it is essential that we develop a system that makes it possible to separate and capture CO2 without reducing the economic performance of a power plant. In the course of its basic research, Toshiba Group has developed a high-performance absorbent that minimizes the energy consumption required for the CO2 capture process. Experiments conducted using small-scale test equipment have confirmed that its level of performance is the best in the industry.
Toshiba Group is also constructing a pilot plant within a coal-fired thermal power plant located in Japan. The principal reasons behind the decision to build this pilot plant are as follows: (1) to demonstrate the performance of our CCS system by using boiler exhaust gases emitted from the coal-fired thermal power plant; (2) to perform the test experiments required to design a system for large-scale power plants in the future, including measuring the effects of substances contained in exhaust emissions generated by the thermal power plant, such as SOx, on our system; and (3) to acquire technical know-how regarding the integration of our system with other power generation system machinery, including turbines.
It is estimated that the use of CCS technology in conjunction with A-USC systems will enable us to reduce CO2 emissions generated by thermal power plants by approximately 90%. We will step up our efforts to develop new technologies in order to achieve zero-emission thermal power generation for the future.
Toshiba is planning to start a pilot CCS experiment in 2009.
A power generation system using CCS facilities is being developed for commercialization in 2015.
The most advanced systems that are currently commercially available are USC (Ultra-SuperCritical) systems. Using A-USC (Advanced USC) systems in combination with CCS technology will result in a dramatic reduction in CO2 emissions.
The use of combined cycle power generation facilities using gas turbines is increasing year by year for the purpose of achieving the reduction in CO2 emissions required to create a low-carbon society, increasing energy use efficiency and improving economic performance. Toshiba Group is developing various technologies that support the long-term, stable operation of facilities.
In order to analyze and assess high-temperature gas turbine parts, which are used in harsh environments and to determine their remaining service lives based on the level of degradation, we developed a technology for making highly accurate diagnoses by combining a number of methods, including the finite element method (FEM) and methods for testing cleavage strength, tensile strength, durability and fatigue strength. We are also working to commercialize service life extension and repair technologies aimed at recycling gas turbine rotor/stator blades and extending their service lives. Based on the BLE (Blade Life Extension™) concept unique to our company group, we repeatedly reuse old rotor blades that meet our repair standards instead of simply discarding them. The repair and recycling of these parts not only reduces running costs and improves economic performance, but also effectively minimize the environmental impact.
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