Black & Veatch, a global leader in critical infrastructure solutions, is assessing the feasibility and preparedness for implementing carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technology in coal-fired power plants in Vietnam to further reduce emissions. The Vietnam Petroleum Institute (VPI) has tasked Black & Veatch with studying carbon reduction technologies at three coal-fired power plants operated by Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (Petrovietnam or PVN). These plants are the Vung Ang 1 Thermal Power Plant in Ha Tinh Province, the Song Hau 1 Thermal Power Plant in Hau Giang Province, and the Thai Binh 2 Thermal Power Plant in Thai Binh Province, each with a capacity of 2 x 600 megawatts (MW).
“This is the first carbon capture study to be conducted on coal-fired power plants in Vietnam and its findings can help define the development of our national CCUS roadmap and legal framework”, said The VPI senior expert Dr Nguyen Huu Luong. The study’s objective is to investigate the current carbon capture technology landscape and evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of applying that technology to the flue gas from the coal-fired power plants.
“Deploying advanced technologies such as CCUS can help power producers and heavy industries reduce emissions in the region”, said Narsingh Chaudhary, president of Black & Veatch’s Asia Pacific and India business. “Black & Veatch is committed to providing diverse and advanced solutions to help the Asia Pacific energy industry and existing asset owners meet growing energy demands with lower and no-carbon energy sources”.
As part of the front-end loading (FEL) study, Black & Veatch will conduct an assessment of carbon capture technology, evaluate and recommend suitable technologies for each power plant, and create a preliminary conceptual design for the carbon capture unit. Additionally, Black & Veatch will outline strategies for integrating the carbon capture unit with the existing power plants. Vietnam’s National Energy Masterplan for 2021-2030, with a vision extending to 2050, promotes the adoption of CCUS solutions in industrial production facilities and power plants, aiming for a capture capacity of approximately 1 million metric tons (mt) per year by 2040 and 3 to 6 million mt per year by 2050.
Black & Veatch has been a leader in the study and implementation of carbon capture technology for over 30 years. The company boasts extensive experience in analyzing and designing carbon dioxide (CO2) capture systems, as well as CO2 compression and handling systems. It has assessed various technologies for CO2 utilization, including the production of methanol and synthetic natural gas, as well as bioprocesses that use CO2. Black & Veatch also has expertise in regulatory and market aspects, enabling it to support the development and planning of carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration projects.