LOS ANGELES, Jan. 24, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Clean Energy Systems (CES), an entrepreneurial energy development firm, with support from Southern California Gas Co. (The Gas Company) and others, is seeking funds to build the nation's first natural gas zero-emission power plant (ZEPP) in California.
CES has developed an innovative new technology with the potential to eliminate two key power plant emissions while using a third to increase the supply of available oil.
The new technology burns fuel in an oxygen environment, rather than air, to eliminate nitrogen oxides, key in the production of smog; sulfur dioxide, which helps create acid rain; and carcinogen-bearing particulates. In addition, carbon dioxide, a contributor to global warming, is captured and pumped underground to loosen deposits of oil, which then can be recovered in an economical manner.
By allowing for the economic recovery of more domestic oil, the sequestration process could lessen U.S. dependence on imported supplies. It is estimated that up to 5 billion barrels of oil could be extracted under California alone.
CES has received funding from The Gas Company to help complete development of the technology. CES also is seeking funding support from the U.S. Department of Energy and the California Energy Commission to build the first zero-emission power plant in California.
"We believe Clean Energy Systems has potential break-through technology to eliminate power plant emissions and support California's ambitious initiatives to reduce greenhouse gases," said Rick Morrow, vice president of customer service for The Gas Company.
"Since 2000, the California Energy Commission's Public Interest Energy Research Program has provided more than $4 million in co-funding to CES for the demonstration of this innovative oxy-fuel power plant technology," said Commissioner John Geesman of the California Energy Commission. "California needs solutions to its emissions issues, and technologies like this could be part of the answer."
The proposed 50-megawatt facility represents the first commercial demonstration of a zero-emission power plant, which could play a major role as the power-generation industry seeks new technologies to reduce gases associated with global warming. A megawatt is enough to power approximately 650 homes. The plant will not have the traditional power plant stack because there are no emissions to the atmosphere.
"This is the ultimate solution to power plant emissions," said Keith Pronske, president and chief executive officer of CES. "By eliminating the stack, we eliminate all forms of emissions including greenhouse gases, particulate matter and ozone-forming nitrogen oxides."
CES was founded by a group of engineers and scientists -- many from the space program -- who decided in 1996 to address the issues caused by greenhouse gas emissions. The group, which founded CES, pooled their combined expertise to take the technology that launches rockets and transform it into a pollution-free power plant.
"Rockets use oxy-combustion to achieve instantaneous power," said Pronske. "The same combustion process can also make zero-emission power."
If funding is approved, the plant is expected to be completed in the second half of 2009.
Southern California Gas Co., a regulated subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE) has been delivering clean, safe and reliable natural gas to its customers for nearly 140 years. It is the nation's largest natural gas distribution utility. The company's service territory encompasses approximately 20,000 square miles throughout Central and Southern California. Sempra Energy, based in San Diego, is a Fortune 500 energy services holding company. To learn more, go to www.socalgas.com.
Clean Energy Systems, of Rancho Cordova, Calif., specializes in the development of zero-emissions commercial power plants utilizing an oxy-fuel combustion process. The power plants use oxygen and various fuels to produce power that results in zero atmospheric emissions and water as a byproduct. The company owns an extensive portfolio of patents and a Bakersfield, Calif., power plant, used to further develop the oxy fuel technology. For additional information, go to www.CleanEnergySystems.com.