The Callide, Australia, oxyfuel project will enter a key design and testing phase during 2009. The demonstration project is to apply new technology to an old power station to produce cleaner electricity by converting the plant to oxyfuel technology so it can capture carbon dioxide for geological storage offsite. First, the carbon capture site for the project – Callide A Power Station – will generate electricity for two months for a test reliability run, starting in February 2009. As Callide A has not generate delectricity since 2001, this test run is being conducted to monitor the power station’s reliability and gather important design data for the subsequent oxyfuel conversion.
During the test run the plant will operate under normal air-firing conditions used at typical coal-fired power stations. The test run follows an overhaul of Callide A in late 2008, which was a key step in getting the powerstation ready for the oxyfuel conversion. Priority work areas were the turbine, boiler, control system,and general mechanical and electrical maintenance. Other work happening in 2009 include civil worksat Callide A and site selection for the carbon storagesection of the project. The oxyfuel conversion is scheduled to take place in 2010.
