150 New Green Jobs Developing Zero Emissions Power Plant Technology

The following is a press release highlighting a new $30 million stimulus investment designed to accelerate development of a prototype commercial scale oxy-fuel turbine. Clean Energy Systems calls the development of the prototype a key step in plans to build "zero emissions power plants". 

Clean Energy Systems Secures $30 Million to Accelerate Zero Emission Power Plant Technology

RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Clean Energy Systems (CES) has been selected by the US Department of Energy (DOE) for $30 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Funding to accelerate development of zero emission power plants using a variety of fuel sources. The DOE will provide $30 million under ARRA to support development of a first of a kind commercial-scale oxy-fuel turbine, which is central to CES’ technology. The oxy-fuel turbine can use a diverse set of fuels including natural gas, bio-fuels, refinery off gases, and gasified petroleum coke, while capturing nearly all the carbon dioxide.

With this funding, we will be able to accelerate our turbine program to deploy and test the critical components for a zero emission power plant,” said Keith Pronske, President and CEO of CES. “We can make power without pollution a reality years ahead of our previous plans.”

Total program costs of approximately $43 million will be used to build and test a 150 megawatt turbine with accompanying CES technology by 2012. The program is expected to contribute over 150 direct jobs and thousands of indirect jobs over the next several years.

“The DOE funding will allow CES to develop necessary technology for power plants with no smokestack and essentially zero emissions within two years,” Pronske continued. Pronske expressed gratitude to the bipartisan support provided by congressional leaders over the past several years. “We’ve been very fortunate to have strong bipartisan support to help advance development of this cutting edge technology,” he said. “In particular, Congressman Jim Costa, Congressman Dan Lungren, and Congresswoman Doris Matsui have all dedicated significant time and effort to advance the benefits of these clean technologies which reflect environmental stewardship and bring high-value manufacturing jobs to California.”

“Securing this funding is a major victory for our region’s economy and future generations of Valley residents,” said Congressman Costa. “This project will further spur economic development in the heart of our Valley while creating high-paying jobs over the short and long-term. I am proud to have supported this funding and I commend the leadership of CES for helping make our region an emerging hub for innovation and energy development.”

Congressman Lungren said, “The growth in Clean Energy Systems and the cutting edge research they are involved in has been extraordinary. It has been my pleasure to assist CES throughout the grant process and follow their growth. It is important for Congress to support innovative companies as they grow and develop. California, and particularly the capitol region, is poised to take a leadership role in the clean-green energy field. The development of zero emissions commercial power plants will move CES to the forefront of the field while providing much needed manufacturing jobs to California.”

“The investment of $30 million in Federal funding for advanced carbon capture technology is indicative of this Congress’ commitment to support American-made clean energy products and technology,” stated Congresswoman Matsui. “Investing in American-made technology and products is a clear path to economic recovery, renewed financial stability, and measurable job growth. Moreover, targeted investments to support local companies like Clean Energy Systems will help our region seize the opportunity to create new jobs and position ourselves as a clean tech capital.”

The funding builds on work initiated in 2005 under the DOE’s Advanced Turbine program. Working with its partners, Siemens Energy and Florida Turbine Technologies, CES has completed the necessary engineering to develop the commercial-scale oxy-turbine.

“The development of Zero Emission Power Plants, driven by CES, has been the basis of close cooperation between CES, Siemens, and governmental authorities in the US and Europe for more than a decade,” said David Henson, Director, Engineering for Siemens Energy’s Oil & Gas Division. “Siemens looks forward to continuing its support of CES and their potential business partners in the development, scale up and commercialization of the technology.”

Siemens will support design efforts, materials testing, and turbine manufacture from its facilities in Orlando and Houston. Manufacturing of the turbine will commence within the next few months and testing to follow at CES’ Kimberlina Demonstration Plant located in Bakersfield (Kern County) CA during 2011.

CES currently operates the world’s largest oxy-combustion demonstration facility at its Kimberlina plant. With earlier funding from the DOE and the California Energy Commission, and support from Southern California Gas Co., CES built and tested a 5 Megawatt power plant at the Kimberlina site, providing clean electricity to the California power grid since 2005. Following expansion in 2008, the facility has been operated at thermal power levels in excess of 50 Megawatts and has the capacity to test up to 80 Megawatts, which is greater than any other similar facility in the world.

About Clean Energy Systems:

Clean Energy Systems, of Rancho Cordova, CA, specializes in the development of zero emissions commercial power plants using an oxy-fuel combustion process. The power plants use oxygen and various fuels to produce power that results in zero atmospheric emissions with carbon dioxide and water as byproducts. The company owns an extensive portfolio of patents and a Bakersfield, CA power plant, used to further develop the oxy fuel technology.

Clean Energy Systems is not the same company as the utility, Southern California Gas Co, and Clean Energy Systems is not regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission. More information on Clean Energy Systems can be found at www.cleanenergysystems.com

Contact:

Clean Energy Systems, Inc.
Keith Pronske, 916-638-7967
President & CEO
Klpronske@CleanEnergySystems.com
or
Alex Heney, 916-638-7967
Media Relations
AHeney@CleanEnergySystems.com