BP and Rio Tinto have formed a new jointly-owned company, Hydrogen Energy, which will develop decarbonized energy projects around the world. The venture will initially focus on hydrogen-fuelled power generation, using fossil fuels and carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology to produce new large-scale supplies of clean electricity.
Decarbonized energy projects are based on the conversion of fossil fuel feedstocks such as coal, petroleum coke (a refinery by-product) or natural gas, to hydrogen and carbon dioxide gases, with the carbon dioxide being captured and sent for permanent storage in geological formations deep beneath the Earth’s surface.
In power projects, the hydrogen would be used to fuel a gas turbine for generation of industrial-scale supplies of electrical power. Full integration with CCS technology would ensure that 90% of the carbon dioxide which would otherwise have been emitted to the atmosphere would be safely captured and stored.
There is rapid worldwide development of new power generating capacity as older power stations are replaced and new plants built to meet growth in demand, particularly in the rapidly expanding economies of the developing world. According to the International Energy Agency, about two-thirds of the generating capacity that will be needed in the next 25 years has yet to be built. Much of the growth will be in countries where coal is abundant and so the fuel is expected to be a significant part of the energy mix.
The recent UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report into the potential to mitigate the effects of climate change recognized that reducing carbon dioxide emissions from power generation will be vital and that technologies such as CCS will have a key role in meeting the challenge. It also recognizes the role of governments in putting in place appropriate regulatory and support mechanisms to enable this to happen.
Hydrogen Energy will benefit from the world-leading capabilities of both parent companies: Rio Tinto’s expertize and world-class assets in coal extraction and supply; and BP’s experience and expertize in chemical processing, low carbon power generation and carbon capture and storage.
Tom Albanese, Chief Executive, Rio Tinto: “Coal is a key part of Rio Tinto’s energy business and we believe it has an essential role in generating clean power in the future. The investment we are making in Hydrogen Energy will allow us to deliver decarbonised energy and carbon capture and storage. Although initial projects may be based on non-coal feedstocks, they will be significant building blocks in the development of coal gasification on an industrial scale. Investing now means we will be well-placed to create value for shareholders from opportunities in the emerging clean power market.”
Tony Hayward, BP Group Chief Executive: “Projects such as these have the potential to help deliver the carbon emission reductions which companies and countries around the world are now seeking. This will only be possible if companies work together and work alongside governments. The combination of skills and experience which BP and Rio Tinto bring will allow us to accelerate the development and deployment of these important new technologies and projects.”
Hydrogen Energy, whose final formation will be subject to regulatory approvals, will identify and secure opportunities for decarbonised energy projects worldwide, working with governments to determine appropriate policies and regulatory regimes, and develop and operate the assets, with partners where appropriate. The projects will typically use coal or petroleum coke as feedstock; although in some cases natural gas may be used.
Previously announced hydrogen-fuelled power projects in Peterhead, Scotland and Carson, California will become part of Hydrogen Energy. As part of the agreement, Rio Tinto will make a cash payment to BP of some $32million, subject to post-completion adjustments.
Hydrogen Energy will be headquartered in Weybridge in the southeast of England and will initially have a staff of 75 seconded from the parent companies. The Chief Executive of Hydrogen Energy is to be Lewis Gillies, formerly head of BP’s hydrogen power business and its CFO is to be Peter Cunningham, formerly head of business evaluation for Rio Tinto. www.hydrogenenergy.com
BP, together with Scottish and Southern Energy, announced plans in June 2005 for its first hydrogen power project, in Peterhead, Scotland. The planned project would use natural gas as a feedstock, generating some 475 MW electricity and capturing and storing some 1.8 Mt/y of CO2 in the North Sea Miller oilfield. Injection of the CO2 into the oilfield would also increase recovery of oil from the reservoir by an estimated 50-60 million barrels. Engineering design for the project is complete and the partners hope the project will be able to take part in the competition the UK government has announced to select which such project should be supported. If the decision to go ahead with the project were taken at the beginning of 2008, it would be expected to be in commercial operation in 2011.
The second planned hydrogen power project, in Carson, California, USA would use petroleum coke as feedstock. In January 2006, BP and partner Edison Mission Group announced plans to develop the 500 MW power project alongside BP’s Carson refinery, about 32 km south of Los Angeles. The project would capture some 4 Mt/y of CO2 and transport it for reinjection into geological formations in southern California for permanent storage. Subject to the successful outcome of engineering studies and appropriate policy being in place, it is anticipated the final investment decision could be taken in time for the plant to be operational by the end of 2012.
