As an alternative to building a complete IGCC plant an investor might decide to build a Gas Enabling Module (GEM™) to refuel an existing CCGT.

As part of its “Cleaner Coal Technology R&D Programme”, the DTI provided a contribution to the funding of a study with the title, “Impact of CO2 Removal on Coal Gasification Based Fuel Plants” (“The GEM™ Study”) carried out by a consortium led by Jacobs Consultancy UK Limited and including E.ON UK plc, Watergrid Limited, Mitsui Babcock, CPP (under our previous name of Power Asset Modelling), University of Nottingham and Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) of the USA.

The primary objective of the study was to develop the technical and economic information required to assist existing or future owners and investors in the power industry to evaluate the advantages of utilising coal based syngas generated in a GEM™ to refuel existing natural gas fired CCGT plants while having the capability to remove 85% of the CO2 prior to combustion.

CPP were responsible for the financial modelling necessary to price the syngas from four alternative GEM™ configurations and the preparation of the economics section of the Final Report.

The Final Report was published in February, 2006.