Techno-Economic Evaluation of Carbon Capture and Storage for Combined Cycle Power Generation

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a major driver of greenhouse gas emissions, which lead to an increase in Earth's temperature and subsequently drive climate change. CO₂ is primarily produced from fossil fuel-based power generation. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a CO₂ capture technology that can be added to fossil fuel power generation. This study evaluates the he technological, financial, and ecological impacts of upgrading CCS technology on a Natural Gas Combined Cycle (NGCC) power generation with three blocks. Amine-based post-combustion capture technology is applied in this study. Simulations were performed employing the Integrated Environment Control Model software. The addition of CCS significantly reduces net power output across all blocks. For Block 1, net power declines from 133 MW to 97.6 MW, a 27% reduction, while Block 2 drops by 17%, from 441.7 MW to 368.1 MW. Block 3 shows a 13% decrease, with net power falling from 441.9 MW to 385.5 MW. Thermal efficiency also declines with the installation of CCS. Corresponding efficiency losses are also notable: Block 1 falls from 40.85% to 30%, Block 2 from 45.24% to 37.69%, and Block 3 from 53.89% to 46.79%. The levelized cost of electricity increases considerably alongside CCS implementation, rising by 80% for Block 1 (0.0843 to 0.1522 USD/kWh), 47% for Block 2 (0.0761 to 0.1114 USD/kWh), and 42% for Block 3 (0.06618 to 0.0874 USD/kWh). Sensitivity analysis indicates that LCOE competitiveness with the national weighted average is achievable when carbon prices exceed 145 USD/t CO₂ for Block 1, 90 USD/t CO₂ for Block 2, and 45 USD/t CO₂ for Block 3. These findings emphasize the trade-offs between power generation efficiency, costs, and carbon capture, providing essential insights for future energy policy and CCS adoption strategies.