22 - Case study: Nakoso IGCC power plant, Japan

Abstract

Clean Coal Power R&D Company was established to execute an air-blown integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) demonstration test in June 2001. The project started with a 30% subsidy from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and 70% funding from nine Japanese utility companies, the Electric Power Development Company, and the Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry. After the company was established in June 2001, the first 3 years were spent conducting an environmental impact assessment and the design of the demonstration plant, and the next 3 years were spent on construction. The demonstration test started in September 2007. Through the demonstration test period of 5.5 years, the entire test progressed smoothly, although various kinds of initial incidents were experienced. Since all test items were completed successfully and the data which is necessary for a commercial plant design was obtained, the demonstration test was completed at the end of March 2013. The demonstration plant was taken over by the Joban Joint Power Company and continued operation as a commercial plant after April 1, 2013. The reasons for continuing the operation of air-blown IGCC plant are to provide critical electricity of 250MWe (gross) during the current electricity shortage in Japan, and to obtain valuable experience and knowledge about air-blown IGCC. This chapter presents the characteristics of air-blown IGCC, a summary of the demonstration tests, the results and evaluations of the demonstration test, operating information after commercial conversion of the demonstration plant, and a large-scale IGCC development plan.