Reducing Carbon Production at TVA Gas Fired Energy Plants

Andrew Campbell

 

Andrew Campbell

 Decarbonization Senior Project Manager

Tennessee Valley Authority

 

Monday, November 13, 2023

 

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is working with TC Energy to study carbon capture technology to reduce emissions at TVA’s natural gas facilities in Ackerman, Mississippi and in Drakesboro, Kentucky.

Carbon capture, use, and storage (CCUS) is proposed and explored as one of the pathway scenarios to “net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050” in TVA's Valley Pathways Study, conducted in cooperation with The Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs. CCUS also has been chosen in TVA’s Carbon Report to be tried out in practice as one of the innovative energy technology ‘carbon levers’ (actions for deeper carbon reduction).

TC Energy’s carbon capture approach works by sending the exhaust from natural gas power facilities to a carbon dioxide (CO2) scrubber adjacent to the plant. A chemical reaction absorbs the CO2 before the exhaust is released into the air. The absorbent is then pumped to another vessel and treated with heat that releases the CO2. This released CO2 is then compressed and sent deep into the earth for safe storage.

 

Andrew Campbell is leading TVA’s research and development efforts to achieve net-zero carbon emission goals through an initiative designed to develop feasible technology pathways to lower TVA’s grid carbon intensity. This effort involves considerable engagement of industry and academic research partners and other external stakeholders, as well as close coordination with Power Operations, Major Projects, R&D, Enterprise Planning and Environmental. The imitative develops strategic plans that recommend well timed demonstrations of significant high impact technologies to support TVA’s goals.
 
After graduating 2006 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Campbell became a river systems operations and environmental intern at TVA. From 2007 to 2011 he worked as a project engineer at Bowen Engineering on heavy industrial construction projects in the power industry; TVA being their main client.
 
In 2012 he rejoined TVA as a field engineer for interim risk reduction projects at Widows Creek Fossil Plant. He advanced through increasingly responsible positions in operations, management and planning up to Operations Manager for TVA’s 120-person Kingston Fossil Plant Powerhouse Operations before promotion to his present position in 2021.
 

TVA’s Decarbonization Journey infographic

 

For more information on TSK and its meetings, please email TSK secretary, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call him at 865-679-9854.

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