FutureGen in Illinois: Clean Energy for the Needs of Tomorrow

John MeadSIU Research Center

Robert J. FinleyState Geological Survey

FutureGen For Illinois Task Force BriefingOctober 17, 2006

FutureGen in Illinois: The Technology

John Mead

SIU Research Center

What Is Coal Gasification

• As an alternative to burning coal, the process of gasification coverts coal from a solid state into a gas

• The gas—mostly of hydrogen and carbon monoxide and very similar to natural gas—can be used to make

chemicals and/or electric power

What is Integrated Combined Cycle (IGCC)?

It is the combining of a gasification plant with a combined cycle of electric generating plant.

Oxygen

Analogy of FutureGen: Polk Power Plant

• IGCC complete in 1996

• Operated by Tampa Electric

• 250 Mw output

• Least-cost dispatch on Tampa system

FutureGen in Illinois: The Geological Framework for Success.

Robert J. Finley

Illinois State Geological Survey

Illinois Basin Geological Survey

FutureGen, Climate Change, and Illinois’ Geological Framework Fit Together

“ One of FutureGen’s fundamental goals is to overcome environmental constraints, especially potential climate change

impacts of CO2 emissions, associated with producing electricity and other forms of energy from coal.”

U.S. Department of Energy

Office of Fossil Energy

March 4, 2004

Sequestration at Mattoon and Tuscola

Mt. Simon Sandstone Reservoir

• Mt. Simon Sandstone is used for natural gas storage in Champaign County, IL

at 4,000 to 4,200 ft.

• Mt. Simon core has been recovered from a few deep exploration wells,

such as this sample from near Salem, IL at 8,467 drilled in 1966.

4,143 ft

8,467

CO2 Storage in Sandstone Reservoir Pore Space

Sand grain

Pore space

Pin head

Shale Caprock (Reservoir Seal)

Pin head

No pore space visible

General CO2 Injection: Caprock/Seal Integrity

Shale Seal

Shale Seal

Sandstone Reservoir

With FutureGen, Illinois will lead in coal gasification,

carbon sequestration and hydrogen production--

all key technologies that will improve energy security for

our families, provide environmental benefits and support economic growth

in Illinois.