The crucial role of large drives in carbon capture and storage projects

When you examine the lifecycle of greenhouse gas emissions from ethanol, it is apparent where the environmental challenges arise for this necessary renewable fuel. According to the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), more than half of the emissions occur at biorefineries during production. This challenge is being addressed in a crucial project from Summit Carbon Solutions. At each of the 32 biorefineries that are part of the project, the company will capture CO2 from the ethanol fermentation process, then compress and transport it via a 2,000-mile network of pipelines to Western North Dakota. Once there, it will be permanently and safely stored underground in deep geologic storage locations.

Siemens Large Drives plays an essential role in this project, supplying over 100 SINAMICS PERFECT HARMONY GH180 medium-voltage, air-cooled drives along with nine large motors. Our medium voltage drives will support many different functions in this project. These drives will operate process fans at the ethanol plants, compressors to create liquid carbon dioxide for pipeline transport, pumps for the pipeline, and injection pumps at the permanent storage site in North Dakota. It all starts with our drives being connected with and controlling the motors that move the industrial process air fans, which will prevent the CO2 in the combustion exhaust from being vented into the atmosphere. From that point, the project will utilize Siemens medium voltage drives in just about every step.?

Siemens Large Drives was selected because of the impressive performance and reliability of our drives to support the 12.47 kV input voltage from the utility power supply. The ability to support the project with 12.47 kV on the input allowed for significant cost savings and project schedule improvements by taking out the expensive two-year lead time needed for installing electrical substations with step-down transformers.

To learn more about CCUS and the crucial role that Siemens Large Drives plays in this vital technology, read our CCUS white paper.