China power plant uses coal mine
methane
Washington, DC— With assistance from EPA
and other federal partners, United States based engine manufacturer,
Caterpillar Inc. has landed a $58 million contract from China to
supply the power generation equipment for the world’s largest
power plant fueled by coal mine methane. This project is the result
of collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors
through the Methane to Markets Partnership, a United States initiative
that includes 17 partner countries, including China.
The power plant will produce 120 megawatts of
electricity from coal bed and coal mine methane from the Sihe mine,
in addition to exhaust gas heat that will be recovered to produce
usable hot water and steam for the mining operations. Once the project
has been completed, an estimated 4.5 million tons of carbon dioxide
equivalent emissions will be avoided each year. This is equal to
emissions from one million cars annually.
This project not only supports the goals of the
Methane to Markets Partnership but also the Asia-Pacific Partnership
on Clean Development and Climate, of which China and the United
States are members. The Asia-Pacific partnership, which was started
earlier this year, promotes energy security, cuts in air pollution
and the reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions.
The United States Government is committing up
to $53 million over the next 5 years to support the Methane to Markets
Partnership.
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