CCS Heimdal varmesentral – Development of technical design-basis, Phase 1

Background and project purpose?

Heimdal varmesentral (HVS) handles about 220.000 tonnes of residual waste annually, giving approximately 80.000 tonnes fossil and 160.000 tonnes biogenic CO₂ from incineration. Statkraft has an ambition to be climate neutral by 2040. Reduction of CO₂ emissions from CCS at HVS is key to reach the climate targets of Trondheim municipality, and is proposed in Klimakur 2030. The purpose of the project has been to develop a technical design basis for CO₂ treatment at Heimdal, as part of a wider pre-feasibility study conducted by Statkraft Varme to assess CO₂ treatment at HVS. The work has built on the pre-study «Heimdal CO₂ capture» supported by CLIMIT and seek to exchange insights and experience with the CLIMIT funded cluster collaboration «CCS Mid-Norway – Phase 1» run in the same period.

What was the project objective?

The main objective has been to develop and optimize concepts for a cost-effective design, construction and operation of a CO₂ treatment plant with minimal environmental impact, based on heat integration with hot water from the district heating system.

What has the project done in terms of activities?

The project has established a technical design basis covering the complete value chain from capture, integration, liquefaction, local storage, and transport, to interim and permanent storage. The concept is developed in close dialogue and collaboration with international and national renowned institutions and companies such as Technolocy Centre Mongstad, Rambøll, Project Invest and DNV.

For the capture process, a technology and supplier neutral approach was chosen based on the most mature capture technology – amine solvent with monoethanolamine (MEA). The concept is robust in choosing known, tested and commercially available technology, systems and components. The design basis assumes interim storage at Orkanger and permanent storage via Northern Lights.

The concept for CO₂ capture is based on heat integration with hot water and encompass estimates for sizing and critical technical data for main components, solution for integration / heat balance, compression and liquefaction, as well as constructability and operation, including high level 3D model and O&M concept. In addition, the project has mapped potential environmental and safety issues and necessary regulations and permits.

The project has exchanged knowledge and experience with the cluster collaboration CCS mid-Norway which is looking at alternative value chains for transport and interim storage in mid-Norway.

What has the project achieved? Did the project achieve its objective?

The project has met its objectives and delivered a technical design basis for capture of CO₂ at HVS, transport and storage at transit harbour and further transport to permanent storage.

Future plans?

Phase 2 will further develop the design basis and furthermore identify and perform improvements and/or benchmarking of elements which can be optimised. Statkraft Varme seek to use relevant suppliers and national R&D institutions also in the next phase. Results and experiences from the project will be communicated through national industry and cluster collaborations.