Capture-ready supercritical coal-fired power plants and flexible post-combustion CO2 capture

Abstract Delivering a rapid reduction in global CO2 emissions through CCS requires a two-track approach: CCS needs to be developed at s cale as quickly as possible and other plants, if built without CCS, need to be built CO2 capture ready (CCR). CCR plants can be upgraded as CCS technology develops so that their cost of electricity production can be minimised. Retrofitted CCR plants could also be very suitable for providing flexible electricity output. The options availabl e for making steam turbines at pulverised coal plants suitable for adding post-combustion CO2 capture unit s are discussed, together with their potential for upgrad ing and enhanced flexibility.