ATLANTA, Nov. 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Carbon
Capture Center, a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)-sponsored
research facility managed and operated by Southern Company, today
announced it has surpassed 100,000 hours of technology testing.
This milestone marks significant work by the internationally known
test facility to accelerate the development of advanced
technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from natural-gas
and coal power plants.
"It has been an honor for Southern Company to collaborate with
DOE, its National Energy Technology Laboratory and our partners at
the National Carbon Capture Center to evaluate and demonstrate
next-generation carbon capture technologies," said Southern Company
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Kimberly S. Greene. "I also commend Southern
Company's highly skilled employees, whose commitment to building
the future of energy through innovation is at the heart of this
achievement."
Since its creation by DOE's Office of Fossil Energy in 2009, the
National Carbon Capture Center has worked with third-party
technology developers – including over 30 government, industry,
university and research organizations from seven countries. Located
in Wilsonville, Alabama, adjacent
to Southern Company subsidiary Alabama Power's Plant Gaston, the
facility offers a pathway to move novel technologies out of the
laboratory and demonstrate them in the real-world conditions of a
power plant.
Research at the National Carbon Capture Center can
simultaneously evaluate multiple technologies at various levels of
maturity, accelerating the pace of development. Through the testing
of approximately 60 technologies, screened from more than 300
options, the National Carbon Capture Center has directly
participated in the reduction of carbon capture costs by one-third
since 2011.
The National Carbon Capture Center also co-founded and chairs
the International Test Center Network, a global coalition of
facilities focused on accelerating the research, development and
commercial deployment of carbon capture, utilization and storage
(CCUS) technologies. Under the center's guidance, worldwide CCUS
testing collaboration and knowledge sharing is ongoing in
Australia, Canada, China, the European Union, India, Japan,
Korea, the United Arab Emirates
and the U.S.
While technology development at the National Carbon Capture
Center currently focuses on post-combustion carbon capture for
coal-fired power generation, the facility is expanding its testing
of carbon capture technologies for natural gas-fired power
plants.
With its historic commitment to research and development,
Southern Company remains at the forefront of technology innovation
for the production, delivery and end-use of energy, managing
approximately $2.3 billion in
research and development investments since the 1960s.
About Southern Company
Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is America's premier energy company,
with 46,000 megawatts of generating capacity and 1,500 billion
cubic feet of combined natural gas consumption and throughput
volume serving 9 million customers through its subsidiaries. The
company provides clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy
through electric operating companies in four states, natural gas
distribution companies in seven states, a competitive generation
company serving wholesale customers across America and a nationally
recognized provider of customized energy solutions, as well as
fiber optics and wireless communications. Southern Company brands
are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and
affordable prices that are below the national average. Through an
industry-leading commitment to innovation, Southern Company and its
subsidiaries are inventing America's energy future by developing
the full portfolio of energy resources, including carbon-free
nuclear, 21st century coal, natural gas, renewables and energy
efficiency, and creating new products and services for the benefit
of customers. Southern Company has been named by the U.S.
Department of Defense and G.I. Jobs
magazine as a top military employer, recognized among the Top 50
Companies for Diversity by DiversityInc, listed by Black Enterprise
magazine as one of the 40 Best Companies for Diversity and
designated a Top Employer for Hispanics by Hispanic Network. The
company has earned a National Award of Nuclear Science and History
from the National Atomic Museum Foundation for its leadership and
commitment to nuclear development and is continually ranked among
the top energy companies in Fortune's annual World's Most Admired
Electric and Gas Utility rankings. Visit our website at
www.southerncompany.com.
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SOURCE Southern Company