The Project
STEP Demo replaces steam with supercritical CO2, producing power with smaller, more efficient power plants.
The sCO2 power cycle is a breakthrough clean, compact, and high-efficiency power generation technology, particularly in a world where fossil fuel based power plants need to become more flexible to complement intermittent solar and wind power.
GTI Energy leads the Supercritical Transformational Electric Power Project (STEP Demo), funded with $125 million from the U.S. Department of Energy, to demonstrate a fully integrated functional pilot-scale power plant with 10 MW electric output based upon this transformational power cycle technology.
GTI Energy is joined by Southwest Research Institute and GE Global Research to design, build and operate this grid-connected, advanced power plant pilot located in San Antonio, Texas. The STEP Demo will be among the largest demonstration facilities for sCO2 technology in the world
STEP is being built as a multi-user facility, not limited to the current team members. The open project is welcoming new partners from around the world. Through a Joint Industry Program, current and new partners will provide guidance to the operation and have access to proprietary project data to advance their sCO2-related technology developments. In addition, they have access to the reconfigurable facility to accommodate future testing of their own sCO2 components and system/cycle configurations and upgrades.
Energy advancements
Because this sCO2 cycle works with a much smaller turbine, utilizing this technology results in smaller power generation plants — reducing costs while at the same time increasing efficiency. The project is slated to be completed in 2024.
Become a project partner
This open project is welcoming new partners from around the world. OEMs, engineering companies, and power plant owner/operators are invited to join to gain a better understanding of how sCO2 technology can improve high-efficiency power generation.
For more information, contact Markus Lesemann directly.