Babcock & Wilcox has agreed to support TerraSpark in the development of its proposed TerraSpark Energy Campus in West Virginia, US, a project that is set to feature a 1.6GW coal-fired power station as part of a broader initiative.
The project has secured an $18.5m grant from the US Department of Energy (DoE) to advance its planning and development.
The TerraSpark Energy Campus also includes a multi-industry hub and a Coal Innovation & Training Centre focused on rare earth extraction and advanced materials research.
Under the planned arrangement, Babcock & Wilcox’s role will cover the design and supply of four 400MW supercritical boilers, along with an array of advanced emissions control systems.
Its subsidiary, Babcock & Wilcox Construction, is due to provide construction services for the campus.
Babcock & Wilcox executive vice-president and chief commercial officer Jimmy Morgan said: “This project aligns with B&W’s continued commitment to serving the US coal fleet, which is a reliable, secure and essential component of the nation’s energy mix.
“We look forward to the opportunity to work with the TerraSpark team as development progresses.
“Projects like the TerraSpark Energy Campus highlight how coal-based generation can play a critical role in delivering dependable, high-capacity and low-emissions power for emerging demands, including energy-intensive industrial and manufacturing infrastructure, while supporting US energy priorities to ensure reliable and resilient domestic energy resources.”
Babcock & Wilcox will collaborate with Mantel on the carbon capture aspects of the facility.
Mantel specialises in carbon capture systems designed for use in heavy industry.
According to the company, its technology reduces energy losses by 97% and operates at less than half the average cost per tonne seen in the sector.
Mantel says it is backed by investors such as Shell, Eni and bp, and is implementing its system across areas including power generation, oil and gas, pulp and paper, and chemicals.
Mantel co-founder and CEO Cameron Halliday said: “Coal will be an important part of global electricity generation for decades to come. Mantel's carbon capture technology enables coal-fired power plants and other industrial facilities to operate efficiently but with dramatically lower emissions.
“Wherever coal operates, it should operate with the best emission control technologies available. Babcock & Wilcox’s leadership in advanced boiler design and air pollution control makes them a trusted and valuable resource.”
