PNNL

Abstract

The FutureGen 2.0 Project will design and build a first-of-its-kind, near-zero emissions coal-fueled power plant with carbon capture and storage (CCS). To assess storage site performance and meet the regulatory requirements of the Class VI Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program for CO2 Geologic Sequestration, a monitoring program is needed that can track and account for the mass of CO2 injected, and that protects underground sources of drinking water from storage related impacts. The FutureGen 2.0 project has selected and plans to implement a suite of monitoring technologies that are both technically robust and cost-effective, and provide an effective means of 1) evaluating CO2 mass balance and 2) detecting any unforeseen loss in CO2 containment. The monitoring program will include direct monitoring of the injection stream and reservoir, and early-leak-detection monitoring directly above the primary confining zone in regions of increased leakage potential. In addition to directly monitoring for CO2 and changes in formation pressure, wells will be monitored for changes in geochemical and isotopic signatures that provide indication of CO2 and/or brine leakage. Indirect geophysical monitoring technologies that were selected for implementation in the monitoring program include passive seismic, integrated surface deformation, time-lapse gravity, and pulsed neutron capture logging.