KCP-EUK-OPM-DPR-0002

Rev.: 03
Project Title:

Kingsnorth Carbon Capture & Storage Project

Document Title:

Full System Operational Philosophy

Page 1 of 6

Full System Operational Philosophy

Table of Contents
1. Scope and Functional Requirements
2. Assumptions
3. Design Requirements
4. Mandatory References
5. Supporting References

Kingsnorth CCS De monstration Pro ject

The information contained in this document (the Infor ma tion) is provided in good faith.
E.ON UK plc, its subcontractors, subsidiaries, affiliates, e mployees, advisers, and the Depart ment of Energy and Climate Chan ge
(DECC) make no representation or war ranty as to the accuracy, reliability or co mpleteness of the Infor ma tion and neither E.ON U K
plc nor any of its subcontractors, subsidiaries, affiliates, e mployees, advisers or DECC shall have any liability whatsoever for any
direct or indirect loss howsoever arising fro m the use of the Infor mation by any party.

KCP-EUK-OPM-DPR-0002
Rev.: 03
Project Title:

Kingsnorth Carbon Capture & Storage Project

Document Title:

Full System Operational Philosophy

Page 2 of 6

1. Scope and Functional Requirements

Kingsnorth will be a commercially operated electricity generating station with
an integrated carbon capture demonstration plant to allow transportation of at
least 300MWe equivalent CO2 (at full load) to geological storage. The scope
of this document is to set down the operational philosophy expected to be
utilised to ensure a common approach to design intent.
Subject to prevailing market, political and other conditions, it is expected that
the plant will be commercially operated predominantly in the following way;
Base Load operation Early years plant run predominantly at full
load (100% MCR) with only minimal reductions in load and essential off
load periods (maintenance/outage).
Changing Market Conditions As new less responsive entrants enter
the market (wind and nuclear in particular) it is highly probable that
whilst the plant will continue to operate at full load (100% MCR) for
much of the day, situations will occur when surplus supply on the
system forces reductions in load and periods of operation at MSG can
be expected. The full impact of this is as yet uncertain but will be most
prevalent during the summer months when it may even lead to the
plant being taken off load.
Mid Merit Order operation this signals a move into periods of lower
load operation at times, particularly overnight, with possible shutdowns
over night particularly at weekends towards the end of the time frame.
Peak Load Only (Low Merit Order) operation this signals a move to
more frequent periods of low load operation with plant shutdown
overnight and restarting in the morning as required by the market as
the plant nears the end of its useful life.
It should be noted that the energy market within the UK is constantly evolving
as supplies from different energy sources (e.g. wind, nuclear, gas, etc)
compete within an ever changing political and regulatory background. The
rate at which new generation joins and ageing generation leaves the market
cannot be fully predicted. As such the above expectations can only ever be a
guide in the light of historical, current and predicted power station operation.
For the 15 year period of the CCS demonstration, it is intended to operate the
power plant as a base load station at 100% MCR (Maximum Continuous
Rating) without interruption whenever possible. Thus at maximum output, the
CCS chain is designed to operate at 90% removal efficiency to remove
6600tpd of CO2 from the flue gas with the Power Plant at 100% load (MCR).
Other than for commercial requirements, shutdowns will be limited to those
necessary to conduct essential off-load plant testing (e.g. physical turbine
over speed safety test) and occasional plant fault investigations in line with
Kingsnorth CCS De monstration Pro ject
The information contained in this document (the Infor ma tion) is provided in good faith.
E.ON UK plc, its subcontractors, subsidiaries, affiliates, e mployees, advisers, and the Depart ment of Energy and Climate Chan ge
(DECC) make no representation or war ranty as to the accuracy, reliability or co mpleteness of the Infor ma tion and neither E.ON U K
plc nor any of its subcontractors, subsidiaries, affiliates, e mployees, advisers or DECC shall have any liability whatsoever for any
direct or indirect loss howsoever arising fro m the use of the Infor mation by any party.

KCP-EUK-OPM-DPR-0002
Rev.: 03
Project Title:

Kingsnorth Carbon Capture & Storage Project

Document Title:

Full System Operational Philosophy

Page 3 of 6

findings from condition monitoring along with any statutory inspection and
maintenance outages.
2. Assumptions
Operation of the power plant will remain a commercial concern with the
integrated CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) chain being operated as
necessary to demonstrate CO2 sequestration requirements.
The power plant will be designed to be at optimum efficiency at full load
with the CCS chain in service.
The design approach for the CCS chain is to allow the option to run the
CCS chain at 100% load or at lower loads within commercial constraints.
Both power plant and CCS chain will be designed to allow flexible
operation over the full operational load a wide range, as far as possible
independent of each other from a loading perspective. However, optimum
operation at the lower end of the range has yet to be fully determined.
Should the power plant be operated at less than 100% load (MCR), all
component parts of the CCS chain shall be designed to give the option to
continue at the maximum 6600tpd removal rate as power plant load is
reduced until it approaches the threshold of available steam quantity and
quality for effective operation. Thus, the CCS chain may be operated at its
maximum capacity at loads below full load as required
The CCS chain shall then be designed to allow reduction in CO2 removal
along a similar de-loading ramp to the power plant.
The CCS chain will be designed to flexibly operate between MSG
(Minimum Stable Generation), and full load (MCR) as required. At any time
the power station may be called to operate at any load within this range
and be expected to achieve that load within declared loading / de-loading
rates.
Power plant outage requirements are yet to
manufacturers requirements but are expected to be;

be

confirmed

by

Boiler overhaul duration normally 10 weeks / 70 days every 4 years

(50 months). Frequency is governed by the advice of the
Competent Body representing the requirements of the Pressure
Systems Regulations. It is likely that initially the boiler will only be
given a certificate to operate for 2 years (26 months) prior to a
shorter inspection (est. 6 8 weeks). Following this, subject to
inspection findings, a case may be made to extend the inspection
regime to the once every 4 years frequency normally experienced.
Turbine inspections are not required to meet any specific
regulations as in the case of the boiler, hence inspections are
Kingsnorth CCS De monstration Pro ject
The information contained in this document (the Infor ma tion) is provided in good faith.
E.ON UK plc, its subcontractors, subsidiaries, affiliates, e mployees, advisers, and the Depart ment of Energy and Climate Chan ge
(DECC) make no representation or war ranty as to the accuracy, reliability or co mpleteness of the Infor ma tion and neither E.ON U K
plc nor any of its subcontractors, subsidiaries, affiliates, e mployees, advisers or DECC shall have any liability whatsoever for any
direct or indirect loss howsoever arising fro m the use of the Infor mation by any party.

KCP-EUK-OPM-DPR-0002
Rev.: 03
Project Title:

Kingsnorth Carbon Capture & Storage Project

Document Title:

Full System Operational Philosophy

Page 4 of 6

required in line with requirements of the manufacturer and advice

from the competent authority (e.g. EEN).
Turbine interim (minor) overhaul duration normally 4-5 weeks / 30
days. Minor overhaul frequency est once every 4 years. This will
usually run concurrent with the boiler overhaul so opportunity to
carry out minimal inspections is likely when the boiler is off for its
first inspection.
Turbine - major overhaul duration normally 8-9 weeks / 60 days.
Major overhaul frequency recommended by manufacturer and
competent authority is normally once every 8 years.
CCS overhaul requirements are expected to fall within these time
slots. However due to the demonstration nature of the project it is
appreciated that initially more inspections may be necessary.
Ahead of planned outages it is anticipated that it may be necessary to
cease CO2 removal prior to shutting the generating unit down to allow
sufficient time to boil off entrained CO2 and refresh the amine. The power
plant and entire CCS chain is to be designed to be able to be shutdown
and subsequently restarted as required
The CC-Plant shall be designed to allow it to be maintained in a hot standby mode to minimise start-up duration.
The CCS components will not be required to operate to remove CO2 in the
event of a site Black Start situation occurring.

3. Design Requirements
The power plant with integrated CCS chain will be designed to be flexible
within its operating parameters and capable of;
Start up ability to start from hot, warm and cold conditions.
Ramp up ability to increase and decrease load at a declared rate
within its operating parameters as required by commercial and Grid
requirements.
Full Load / Part Load Operation ability to maintain stable generation
at any load between its declared MSG (Minimum Stable Generation)
and MCR (Maximum Continuous Rating).
Shutdown ability to safely and securely shutdown as required by
market conditions and Grid requirements to a mode available for restart
when required. It is expected that during de-loading the CCS will not
normally be in service at loads below MSG.
Kingsnorth CCS De monstration Pro ject
The information contained in this document (the Infor ma tion) is provided in good faith.
E.ON UK plc, its subcontractors, subsidiaries, affiliates, e mployees, advisers, and the Depart ment of Energy and Climate Chan ge
(DECC) make no representation or war ranty as to the accuracy, reliability or co mpleteness of the Infor ma tion and neither E.ON U K
plc nor any of its subcontractors, subsidiaries, affiliates, e mployees, advisers or DECC shall have any liability whatsoever for any
direct or indirect loss howsoever arising fro m the use of the Infor mation by any party.

KCP-EUK-OPM-DPR-0002
Rev.: 03
Project Title:

Kingsnorth Carbon Capture & Storage Project

Document Title:

Full System Operational Philosophy

Page 5 of 6

Frequency Response ability to respond to changes in system

frequency as required by the Grid Code including reduction/stoppage
of CCS chain if necessary.
Emergency Conditions ability to shutdown, rapidly reduce load or
operate safely under fault conditions and instances of Grid system
disturbance.
To support these requirements;
Power plant FGD system will be required fully in service before CCS
plant is commissioned.
Carbon Capture plant will be required to gradually warm through at
reduced removal rate as power plant loads. CCS expected to be in
service by MSG.
Design CO2 capture rate is to be 90% of Carbon Dioxide in the flue
gas flow presented to the capture plant.
A system for rapid full CCS bypass for flue gas with power plant
remaining in service will be required.
A system for rapid turn down and/or shutdown of CCS chain with
power plant remaining in service will be required.
Power plant to be fitted with necessary frequency response equipment,
including consideration of condensate stop to assist rapid response in
line with Grid Code requirements
A flow control system for allowing reduced CO2 flow into the pipeline
(line packing) and gradual depressurisation of the pipeline to absorb
short duration power plant or carbon capture plant shutdown will be
required. A system for restarting all on return to service of the power
plant or carbon capture plant will also be required.
A system for allowing full stoppage of flow and isolation of the pipeline /
well head will be required to allow for long duration shutdown of the
power plant or carbon capture plant. A system for restarting all on
return to service of the power plant or carbon capture plant will also be
required.
The CC plant must be supplied with 100% isolating dampers, with
sealing air arrangements if necessary, to ensure safety of personnel
whilst it is internally maintained with the power plant on load.

Kingsnorth CCS De monstration Pro ject

The information contained in this document (the Infor ma tion) is provided in good faith.
E.ON UK plc, its subcontractors, subsidiaries, affiliates, e mployees, advisers, and the Depart ment of Energy and Climate Chan ge
(DECC) make no representation or war ranty as to the accuracy, reliability or co mpleteness of the Infor ma tion and neither E.ON U K
plc nor any of its subcontractors, subsidiaries, affiliates, e mployees, advisers or DECC shall have any liability whatsoever for any
direct or indirect loss howsoever arising fro m the use of the Infor mation by any party.

KCP-EUK-OPM-DPR-0002
Rev.: 03
Project Title:

Kingsnorth Carbon Capture & Storage Project

Document Title:

Full System Operational Philosophy

Page 6 of 6

What we dont know

Power plant generators will be rated for an output of 800MWso (MCR) with
CCS out of service, actual design figure for output with CCS (Demo) in
service at MCR to be confirmed.
Cold, Warm and Hot start up rates are stated in the ORS (Operational
Requirement Specification) and were believed to be being met by initial boiler
/ turbine manufacturers but require confirmation.
Under the Operational Requirements Specification ramp rates for power plant
operating above MSG were expected to be +/- 40MW per minute (max) with
existing turbine and boiler design. MHI stated that they could cope with this
change rate but that some fall off in capture rate might occur whilst
increasing power plant load but that capture rate would remain high initially
whilst reducing power plant load. Overall 90% removal should still be met. .
It is the design intention that the Carbon Capture plant should be stable and
in service at 90% removal duty as the power plant reaches MSG, but this
performance has yet to be confirmed. However the economic versus
technical viability of operation at various operational loads has yet to
evaluated.
Whilst design intent is to allow all parts of the CCS chain to be fully shutdown
it is recognised that to do this regularly with the pipeline and well head may
cause difficulties. What need might there then be to allow a measure of CO2
storage on site to prevent complete shutdown of pipeline and well head upon
loss of either the power plant or carbon capture plant? It is believed that
once operational, a system of slowing down injection rate and allowing a
degree of pipeline pressure decay would suit short term loss of CO2 supply
and conversely reducing Carbon Capture output and/or allowing pipeline
pressure to rise should accommodate short term cessation or reduction in
well injection rate. A requirement for 14,000t of storage to allow for a
complete shutdown has been suggested. Confirmation of intent is required.
Ideally the system should be designed for maximum efficiency of its turbine
with Capture plant in service but also needs sufficient steam swallowing
capacity to be capable of 800MWso loading with CCS out of service. Intent
requires confirmation and optimum design established as soon as possible.
4. Mandatory References
None

5. Supporting References
None

Kingsnorth CCS De monstration Pro ject

The information contained in this document (the Infor ma tion) is provided in good faith.
E.ON UK plc, its subcontractors, subsidiaries, affiliates, e mployees, advisers, and the Depart ment of Energy and Climate Chan ge
(DECC) make no representation or war ranty as to the accuracy, reliability or co mpleteness of the Infor ma tion and neither E.ON U K
plc nor any of its subcontractors, subsidiaries, affiliates, e mployees, advisers or DECC shall have any liability whatsoever for any
direct or indirect loss howsoever arising fro m the use of the Infor mation by any party.