Gasification Users Association (gua)
Gasification Users Association (GUA)
• Interact with other gasification technology
users or potential users and share
information, experiences, and best practices
to advance the state of the industry
• Gain access to information that could assist
with the planning and/or consideration of
adding a gasification plant to asset mix
• Participate in a forum to identify and
participate in research, development,
engineering, demonstration, and commercial
utilization of gasification for the production
of electricity and other forms of energy and
chemicals
(Clockwise Top Left) Polk, Wabash, Buggenum and Puertollano
IGCC plants
The Gasification Users Association (GUA) provides users and
development. For more than 20 years, the GUA has helped
potential users of gasification technology with a network to
meet this need and continues today in serving as an industry
exchange non-confidential information on the practice and
group complementing the RD&D roles of EPRI, individual
operation of gasification and its association technologies,
organizations, and government. The GUA provides a forum in
including air separation, gas cooling and clean up, gas
which members are able to reach substantial agreement on
separation and power generation.
policies regarding gasification and related technologies. It
also serves as a focal point for expanded industrial and
Gasification-based plants can provide for high efficiency,
commercial involvement, such as coal-to-chemical
reliable and environmentally benign generation of electricity,
applications as well as coal-to-power operations.
and the production of other types of energy and chemicals.
EPRI has helped advance the development of gasification
processes through its RD&D program and continues its efforts
Drivers and Trends
in helping the industry apply the results of the work it has
Over the past few years, several major power companies
sponsored as well as related work.
have been conducting detailed design studies of commercial-
sized, coal-based Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle
(IGCC) plants. Concern over the continued availability of
Value
natural gas at competitive prices has led many power
The gasification and related technologies industry needs an
companies to seriously consider clean coal technologies as a
avenue to exchange information regarding utility
strategic hedge against over-reliance on natural gas alone to
requirements, safety, training, reliability and power
provide future power needs.
generation considerations in order to assure optimum
However, deployment of clean coal technologies has recently
petroleum residuals, wastes and biomass, the title was
faced increased opposition from many environmental groups.
changed to the Utility Gasification Association (UGA) in
Although the technology for CO capture exists for
1992. In 1996, the GUA emerged to reflect the ongoing
2
gasification plants, there is ongoing concern over the
changes in industry and to better serve a wider group of
uncertainty of CO emissions requirements and associated
gasification users and potential users.
2
cost implications.
While several demonstration projects are underway to
Deliverables
address the technical viability of sequestration in various
• GUA Annual Report on Gasification Technology Status
geological formations and CO legislation is being drafted,
and interim summary update report on latest status of
2
the industry continues to research, develop, demonstrate, and
gasification and related technologies
deploy clean coal technologies with carbon capture and
• Quarterly Newsletters on gasification and related
sequestration.
technology and commercial developments
• Two meetings and technology tours per year, one in the
U.S. and one outside of North America along with
Project Summary
published minutes.
The GUA is an international organization that meets two times
a year, usually in association with gasification or IGCC plant
Price of Project
visits in the U.S, Europe, or Asia. The annual meeting is
GUA membership is priced at $5,000 per year.
usually held in conjunction with the Gasification Technologies
Conference (sponsored by EPRI and the Gasification
Technologies Council (GTC)). EPRI staff provides technical
Who Should Join
and management support for the GUA. EPRI arranges the
The GUA is a member-driven organization. Any industrial
meetings and agenda in cooperation with the members and
organization is eligible to apply for GUA membership
provides an overview of the status of the technology in
provided that it is not currently active in the commercial
addition to its applications and economics. An annual report
development and licensing of proprietary gasification
is prepared that includes comparisons of IGCC to other
technology.
competing power generation technologies such as Ultra
Supercritical (USC) Pulverized Coal (PC), Fluidized Bed
Combustion (FBC), and natural gas combined cycles
Contact Information
(NGCC) as well as updates on gasification technology
For more information, contact the EPRI Customer Assistance
development activities and commercial projects.
Center at 800.313.3774 (askepri@epri.com).
The GUA originally was started by EPRI in 1982 and was
called the Utility Coal Gasification Association (UCGA).
Technical Contact
In response to members’ interest in other fuels such as
Jose Marasigan at 650.855.2939 (jmarasigan@epri.com).
Product ID: 1018354
Project ID: 004388
November 2008
Electric Power Research Institute
3420 Hillview Avenue, Palo Alto, California 94304-1338 • PO Box 10412, Palo Alto, California 94303-0813 USA
800.313.3774 • 650.855.2121 • askepri@epri.com • www.epri.com
© 2008 Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), Inc. All rights reserved. Electric Power Research Institute and EPRI are registered service marks of the Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
Printed on recycled paper in the United States of America
Document Outline
