文摘
This study employs a power plant modeling tool to explore the feasibility of reducing unit-level emission rates of CO<sub>2sub> by 30% by retrofitting carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) to existing U.S. coal-fired electric generating units (EGUs). Our goal is to identify feasible EGUs and their key attributes. The results indicate that for about 60 gigawatts of the existing coal-fired capacity, the implementation of partial CO<sub>2sub> capture appears feasible, though its cost is highly dependent on the unit characteristics and fuel prices. Auxiliary gas-fired boilers can be employed to power a carbon capture process without significant increases in the cost of electricity generation. A complementary CO<sub>2sub> emission trading program can provide additional economic incentives for the deployment of CCS with 90% CO<sub>2sub> capture. Selling and utilizing the captured CO<sub>2sub> product for enhanced oil recovery can further accelerate CCUS deployment and also help reinforce a CO<sub>2sub> emission trading market. These efforts would allow existing coal-fired EGUs to continue to provide a significant share of the U.S. electricity demand.