Siemens and TNO join hands for research on fossil-fueled power plants

Siemens Energy and the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), have signed an exclusive co-operation agreement aimed at the further advancement of amino-acid salt-based carbon capture technology.

Carbon capture technologies in the eco-friendly utilisation of fossil-fueled power plants will play a significant role in the future. The partnership targets faster time to market for this promising second-generation technology and the implementation of a full-scale demonstration plant by 2014.

Both Siemens and TNO possess comprehensive know-how in the field of CO2 capture. Siemens is developing a proprietary second-generation amino-acid process for CO2 capture in the industrial park Frankfurt Hoechst. TNO has been uindertaking its own research in this field since the '90s.

Both partners see major potential for full-scale application in eco-friendly solvents based on amino-acid salt. Under the terms of the agreement, know-how and experience in this area are now to be bundled in order to leverage synergies and better utilise common resources. The process is to be further optimised with respect to power demand, and the associated costs reduced. (Also see: Siemens to expand position as green infrastructure giant)

''CO2 capture and storage technologies will in the future play a decisive role in the utilisation of fossil fuels. They need to be tested for deployment in large plants and brought to market readiness,'' said Michael Suess, CEO of the fossil power generation division of Siemens Energy.

''We are working closely together with national and international partners from research institutions and industry. We are currently building a pilot facility at the Staudinger power plant operated by E.ON, where we will be testing our process under real operating conditions. Cooperation with TNO will take us a great step forward satisfying future clinical requirements," said Dr Sami Atiya, CEO of Computed Tomography at Siemens Healthcare.