A Better Way to Use Waste Heat

Siemens Energy and TC Energy of Canada have signed an agreement to develop a unique waste heat-to-power facility in Alberta. The facility will gather the waste heat from a pipeline compression station and turn it into emission-free electricity to power the grid. About 10,000 households would now enjoy renewable energy and counterbalance 44,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases every year.

Emissions Reduction Alberta’s Industrial Efficiency Challenge is also supporting the project by injecting US$6.3 million in funding. The plant will be up-and-running by the end of next year.

The plant will be built, owned and operated by Siemens Energy, as per the agreement. In a statement, Arja Talakar, senior vice president of its Energy Industrial Applications Products, stated that the pilot project is an assertion of its capabilities. Not only that, but it is also to show Siemen Energy’s promise to innovate for the market that can facilitate decarbonisation in the oil and gas industry.

Corey Hessen, a senior vice-president and president of TC Energy Power & Storage said the agreement illustrates TC Energy’s commitment to innovation and leading-edge technology in its operations.

Hessen further commented they are dedicated to combining sustainable energy solutions in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and is looking forward to seeing the technology in one of its compressor stations.

Siemens Energy will use its heat recovery process technology for the plant licensed under Echogen Intellectual Property, and based on an advanced Rankine Cycle. The plant uses supercritical carbon dioxide while the working fluid transforms waste heat into power.

TC Energy can get back the ownership from Siemens Energy as it can do so as mentioned in the agreement. 

TC Energy has begun to explore options for implementing the technology at other compressor station sites, with the potential to produce 300MW of emission-free fuel.