Novosibirsk State Technical University (NSTU) has developed methodological frameworks for evaluating the efficiency of zero-emission power plants.

In accordance with the international climate agenda for reducing anthropogenic emissions, technologies have been developed to reduce the carbon footprint of using fossil fuels. For this purpose, technical solutions are being developed that will reduce or eliminate CO₂ emissions into the environment. Carbon dioxide energy cycles with zero emissions are a variant of such technologies. Due to the high prospects of energy CO₂ cycles within the framework of the RNF project, NSTU-NETI scientists examined their various configurations, which are fundamentally different from the pressure boosting system of the working fluid, conducted a thermodynamic analysis, and determined efficiency indicators. The work was carried out under the supervision of the Head of the Department of Thermal Power Plants, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor Pavel Shchinnikov.

"During the analysis, we determined the thermodynamic features of the power unit based on the oxygen-fuel energy cycle with the identification of maximum efficiency zones, analyzed the thermodynamic parameters and found the optimal values of the initial and final parameters of the working fluid according to the criterion of the highest thermodynamic efficiency. Then, an analysis of the energy characteristics was carried out, which included a study of the electricity consumption by auxiliary systems necessary for the operation of the power unit. If we draw an analogy with traditional power plants, it was found that these installations consume from 23 to 47 percent of all electricity generated. Based on energy efficiency indicators, we calculated the estimated cost of power plants based on CO₂ cycles and analyzed their prospects in terms of resource costs," said Ivan Sadkin, an assistant at the Department of Thermal Power Plants at NSTU-NETI.

The result of the implementation of the two-year grant from the Russian Science Foundation was the development of a set of tools for analyzing thermodynamic, energy and economic indicators of a power unit based on the CO₂ cycle. Two patents were obtained, one for a method of generating electricity based on a CO₂ cycle, the second for a method of underground coal gasification using this cycle, which allows for the implementation of carbon-neutral coal technology. The results of the work can be used in making decisions on the creation of new promising energy equipment and technologies, as well as in the development of regional energy systems.

In the future, NSTU-NETI scientists plan to evaluate power units with in-cycle coal gasification, where not natural gas is used as fuel, but artificially synthesized synthesis gas from coal. This will allow coal to be used in environmentally friendly electricity generation options. During the analysis, it will be necessary to determine the most suitable types of gasifiers, establish areas of competitiveness with traditional power units, and estimate the amount of capital investment.