One thing I discovered this week, Siemens has ditched plans in late November 2021 for their pilot waste heat to power plant using supercritical carbon dioxide.
https://press.siemens-energy.com/global/en/pressrelease/siemens-energy-signs-agreement-build-first-its-kind-waste-heat-power-facility-canadaThey had been working with TC Energy on building a 9.5MW plant using waste heat from a gas pipeline compression station.
https://majorprojects.alberta.ca/details/Siemens-Energy-Waste-Heat-to-Power-Pilot/4442Interestingly subsequent to Siemens obtaining approval from AUC for this plant, KPO talked about bidding for work in relation to gas pipeline compression stations using their Kalina Cycle technology. From my research I concluded that must also be with TC Energy, as the largest owner of gas pipelines and compressor stations in western Canada. This also fits with TC Energy's greenhouse gas emissions reduction plan released in late 2021.
https://www.tcenergy.com/sustainability/ghg-emissions-reduction-plan/I note from the information provided publicly by Siemens and KPO that the proposed pilot plant would only have resulted in a 10% improvement in the compressor station's efficiency. My understanding is that the Kalina Cycle can provide about a 30% improvement. Although the footprint for Siemen's proposed plant appears to be smaller although I do not know how the Rankine and Kalina Cycles compare in terms of footprint of the respective plants.
After being approved by AUC in July 2021 Siemens decided to shelve the pilot project in November 2021.
What has changed between July and November 2021 that would make the project uneconomical?
In October 2021 the AUC handed down their decision to not allow review of the abolishment of the DCG credits.
Perhaps the Kalina Cycle, with it's greater efficiency, might be commercial operating alongside gas pipeline compressor stations even without the DCG credits.
Either way Saddle Hills is unaffected by Siemens' decision given that gas pipeline compressor stations are always on and therefore don't have the advantage of a stand alone gas plant that can opt for economic release of power.
