Theoretical comparison between post-combustion carbon capture technology and the use of blue and green H2 in existing natural gas combined cycles as CO2 mitigation strategies: A study under the context of mexican clean energy regulation

Abstract

The objective of this work is to compare the theoretical implementation of three strategies for reducing CO2 emissions in existing natural gas combined cycles (NGCC) under the context of the Mexican clean energy regulation, namely: NGCC with post-combustion carbon capture plant (CCS); NGCC fueled with blends of natural gas and blue H2 (bH2) or green H2 (gH2). These options were analysed from the point of view of the end users in meeting the National goals in clean electricity generation during the period of 2020–2050. A techno-economic analysis was performed by considering different variables, such as clean energy certificate price, fuel costs, capital expenditure, operating cost and capacity factor plant. In general, the CCS shows a better economic performance than bH2 and gH2 cases for reducing carbon emissions in existing NGCCs. In a low natural gas price scenario ($1/MMBTU), the gH2 case is economically attractive from gH2 cost equal to or less than $ 0.9 per kg. Finally, it is found that under the current Mexican regulatory framework is not possible the incorporation of any of the technologies mentioned above, in which case, this regulation needs to be deeply amended in order to define new technical and administrative criteria for promoting the market entry of these technologies in the country.