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Economic modelling for coal bed methane production and electricity generation from deep virgin coal seams

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Vasilis SarhosisORCiD

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND).


Abstract

An investigation of the economic potential for recovering methane from virgin coal seams for electricity production at a study area in South Wales, UK, is presented. Utilizing the coal bed methane gas to fuel a combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) will offer a low carbon option compared to fossil fuel fired power generation for the study area. Cost effectiveness is analysed using both technical and economic data allowing for integration connecting the various sub-processes to the surface processes up to the production of electricity. The model considers both reservoir conditions and engineering factors to calculate the enhanced ultimate recovery (EUR), the capital expenditure (CAPEX) and the operational expenditure (OPEX) of the coupled CBM-CCGT process. The projected UK Navigant gas prices and the DECC electricity prices are then used to estimate the levelised costs of electricity (LCOE) and obtain the financial performance of the coupled CBM-CCGT process. Calculation results showed that the probable cost of electricity (LCOE) amounts to 37 £/MWh and the return on investment could be in the excess of 77%. For the selected study area, the coupled CBM-CCGT process could potentially be an economic option for power generation.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Sarhosis V, Jaya AA, Thomas HR

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Energy

Year: 2016

Volume: 107

Pages: 580–594

Print publication date: 15/07/2016

Online publication date: 07/05/2016

Acceptance date: 12/04/2016

Date deposited: 13/04/2016

ISSN (print): 0360-5442

ISSN (electronic): 1873-6785

Publisher: Elsevier

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2016.04.056

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2016.04.056


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