Louisville Gas & Electric, Kentucky Utilities work with university on carbon capture project

Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company (LG&E and KU) launched a partnership with the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research (CAER) to study the capture of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions at natural gas combined cycle power plants.

The researchers will seek to develop a net negative CO2 emissions technology that will be directly applicable to natural gas combined cycle power generation while minimizing the costs of installing this technology. Further, the system would produce two value-added streams, hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2,) which can be sold to offset the cost of CO2 capture.

“We’re proud to once again partner with UK CAER on groundbreaking research that has the potential to create meaningful advances in power generation,” LG&E and KU Chief Operating Officer Lonnie Bellar said. “Creating collaborations like this one and exploring technology and innovation that can make a difference for the industry and our customers is part of our commitment to helping shape the energy future of our Commonwealth and the nation.”

The first phase of the research project will take place in CAER’s laboratories. Eventually, the technology will be moved to LG&E and KU’s Cane Run Generating Station in Louisville for pilot-scale testing.

“We are pleased to be collaborating with our long-term partners at LG&E and KU to develop a solution to a pressing problem facing the energy industry,” said Kunlei Liu, associate director for research at CAER and an associate professor of mechanical engineering in UK’s College of Engineering. “Being able to improve the lifespan and efficiency of natural gas combined cycle power plants while simultaneously achieving negative carbon dioxide emissions will have a profound impact on Kentucky’s energy industry.”

CAER is considered one of the nation’s premier energy research and development institutes. Since 2006, LG&E and KU have directly invested more than $4 million in UK CAER’s decarbonization research. In conjunction with its parent company, PPL Corporation, LG&E and KU have stated they are committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.