Availability and risk management in IGCC power generation plants : a structured approach for a non-mature technology

Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) is a technology used for power generation that combines coal gasification with the benefits of a combined cycle. It is a technology that, in combination with CO2 capture and storage, is one of the leading candidate solutions for future electricity production, as is acknowledged through many governmental and academic studies. IGCC as a technology for power generation is already applied worldwide within different plant configurations. The experience gained is mostly based on demonstration scale power generation plant operations, and is in a stage of marginal sustainability, regarding the transition of this technology into commercialization. The currently marginal sustainability, as well as the availability and risk management of IGCC power plants should be one of the main focal areas of the energy sector. Lessons learned from industry in this field can be found in literature. However, a structured approach to availability and risk management for IGCC, taking into account societal, human, and organizational influences, is clearly missing. In this paper, a structured approach to availability and risk management for IGCC plants is proposed. Specific areas of interest for IGCC, such as dealing with the scarcity of historical data specific to this technology, are discussed.