Hanwha Power Systems, TC Energy Commercialize sCO2 Power Generation with Waste Heat Recovery

Hanwha Power Systems Co. (Hanwha) and TC Energy signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a supercritical CO₂ (sCO₂) waste heat recovery project to leverage the heat stream at a natural gas pipeline compressor station. An unspecified gas turbine OEM will also participate by verifying a combined power generation solution, integrating gas turbines with Hanwha’s sCO₂ system.

Hanwha will install its sCO₂ power generation system at a compressor station owned and operated by TC Energy in West Virginia. The system will offer a lower cost and carbon-free renewable generation solution, recovering unutilized waste-heat exhaust from a gas turbine compressor.

Hanwha’s sCO2 System

Under conditions exceeding 31ºC and 74 bar, sCO₂ is a fluid that exhibits both liquid and gas properties. Hanwha’s system combines the properties of sCO₂ with its integrally geared turbomachinery technology to contain the fluid in a closed-loop system and utilize waste heat. Additional aspects and features include:

• High efficiency
• Small footprint
• Modularity
• 100% water-free
• Does not require fossil-fuel combustion

Project Significance

According to Hanwha, the installation will reduce the carbon intensity of natural gas pipeline operations while producing clean, emissions-free electricity. This project—expanding Hanwha’s sCO₂ power generation business in the North American pipeline market—will assist commercial viability and large-scale deployment in the industry.

“This memorandum of understanding with TC Energy brings us one step closer to the successful commercialization of sCO₂ power generation systems,” said Justin (Koo Yung) Lee, CEO of Hanwha Power Systems. “We will continue to contribute to carbon reduction in the oil and gas market by successfully expanding the application of sCO₂ power generation systems across a wide range of compressor stations. Hanwha is excited moving forward as this partnership shall accelerate Hanwha Power Systems' progress towards developing clean power generation solutions.”

More Hanwha News

In August 2023, Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Ocean collaborated to develop and enhance energy storage system (ESS) technology designed to reduce carbon emissions in the ship market. The two companies secured MWh-class ESS technology that can be implemented in large vessels such as LNG carriers and container ships. Hanwha's ESS technology, using lithium-ion battery, features a container-type packaging that reduces the overall size of the ESS by consolidating the control system and is equipped with an automatic fire extinguishing feature. Applying a hybrid power system that combines a conventional internal combustion engine with ESS improves fuel efficiency and reduces pollutant emissions.

And, in October 2023, Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) received an order for a singular 8 MW-class steam turbine generator set through the company’s financial division—Kawasaki Trading. The steam turbine order was placed by South Korea’s Hanwha Impact Corp. for installation and operation at its Ulsan recovery plant. KHI will manufacture the generator set, including the primary steam turbine component, at the Kobe Works facility, after which the company will conduct its installation and provide commissioning assistance onsite at the Ulsan plant.

This steam turbine generator set will replace an older model delivered by Kawasaki in 1987, which had been utilized for captive power generation by Hanwha. Power generated by the steam turbine unit will be consumed within the plant and heat will be managed for energy savings and CO₂ emissions reduction.