HTGR project evaluation for Mid-Atlantic Region

The purpose of this particular study is to evaluate the project potential of the HTGR in cogeneration applications including coal gasification in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the US. The utilities in this region, which are actively participating in this study, are Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE and G), Delmarva Power and Light Company (DP and L), and Philadelphia Electric Company (PE). While the electric load growth in this area is presently low, there is an interest among the utilities to consider the HTGR for serving new energy markets. Specific interests developed in the application of the HTGR to a coal gasification process for the production of SNG as well as an added source of electricity generation capacity. Based upon a screening evaluation process, the Exxon Catalytic Coal Gasification (ECCG) process was selected because of its process energy requirements, ease of coupling to the HTGR, and compatible commercialization timeframe. Both the HTGR-SC/C and the HTGR-PH concepts were coupled to the ECCG process and evaluated in this study. In order to form a basis for considering an HTGR project, only projected commercial HTGR plant costs were analyzed within the scope of this study