Last month, CarbonQuest and the Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Alliance jointly hosted a webinar to discuss the future of CHP and carbon capture technology. CarbonQuest’s own SVP of Strategy, Market Development and Sustainability, Anna Pavlova, was joined on the webinar by Eduardo Alcorta from INNIO, ICF’s David Jones, and Lisa Jacobson of the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE), who moderated the discussion. In addition to CHP and carbon capture, the discussion focused on the prospects of hydrogen-fueled CHP.
In her presentation, Anna highlighted the critical role CHP systems play in providing reliable onsite power for facilities that cannot depend on consistent grid access or are in areas where grid capacity is maxed out. This is the case in many regions across the country, especially as mass electrification increases grid demand. CHP systems currently generate 13% of the United States’ electrical capacity, and for essential operations — such as hospitals, data centers, utility infrastructure, and industries that depend on continuous electricity — they ensure uninterrupted power regardless of grid conditions. In addition to retrofits of existing CHP, new power needs for onshoring of manufacturing and new data centers benefit from CHP+carbon capture or fuel cell+carbon capture as well.
While CHP and fuel cells are efficient and resilient solutions, these systems typically rely on natural gas, which generates CO2 emissions. However, as Anna explained in the webinar, combining CHP with carbon capture presents a viable path forward to meet carbon reduction goals without compromising reliability.
CarbonQuest’s cutting-edge Distributed Carbon Capture™ systems are a prime example. Our patent-pending modular technology can capture up to 100% of CO2 emissions from CHP systems. Our systems also have a small physical footprint and can be installed indoors or outdoors, making them suitable for facilities with various spatial needs. Unlike many traditional carbon capture systems, CarbonQuest’s technology does not require extensive infrastructure or water resources, resulting in lower installation and maintenance costs. It is a cost-effective solution for many kinds of “hard-to-abate facilities.”
Additionally, the captured CO2 can be sold into the green circular economy, generating a supply of sustainable CO2 for off-takers in concrete production, sustainable aviation fuel, and bio-based plastics.
For more on how CarbonQuest’s Distributed Carbon Capture™ can help reduce emissions in CHP systems, watch the above webinar or reach out to our team.