Clean Energy Systems
3035 Prospect Park Dr, Suite 120 , Rancho Cordova, California, United States

Based on proven rocket technology, CES oxy-fuel combustion systems produce clean, high-energy gases for use in industrial processes and the generation of electrical power.   The incorporation of oxy-fuel combustion technology into conventional power generation systems makes zero-emissions power plants (ZEPPs) based on fossil fuels practical today. ZEPPs have multiple advantages, including compact and lower cost equipment, greater cycle efficiencies with advanced turbines, complete capture of the carbon dioxide (CO2) effluent, and zero emissions (or ultra-low emissions when operating in demand response applications).

OUR TECHNOLOGIES

High pressure, high temperature (HPHT) steam gas generators, turbo-expanders, reheaters and heat exchangers utilizing proprietary rocket-engine combustion principles.

History

In the beginning, Clean Energy Systems (CES) consisted of an informal team of friends assembled by Rudi Beichel in 1993. The first members included chemical engineer Roger Anderson, former NASA official and lawyer Steve Doyle, platelet expert Harry Mueggenburg, fabricator Fred Schwarz, aeronautical engineer Jim Taylor, and rotating machinery expert Vic Viteri. By 1996, two additional members had been added to the team - Jack Richey and Dr. Richard Wertz - who provided the necessary capital to enable CES to incorporate by August of 1996.  The early years of CES were spent developing ideas, filing for patents, and researching the energy market. The founding members were primarily retired individuals from the aerospace industry who invested their own time and money into developing Beichels concept without any thought of personal gain. Their perseverance and loyalty paid off: by January of 1998, CES had received the first of what would be more than 25 patents to be issued on CES hardware and systems over the next 12 years.

Proof Of Concept

First demonstration of an oxyfuel/gas/water ignition and hot fire by Fred Schwarz in February 1997  By 2000, the Clean Energy Systems team was ready to test and prove the viability of their method of producing power without pollution. Funded by the California Energy Commission, CES was able to fabricate and test a proof of the principle gas generator, which was capable of generating 110 kWt of steam and CO2.  Soon after, CES began to receive federal funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to fabricate and test a small commercial gas generator (the oxy-fuel combustor) capable of producing 20 MWt of steam and CO2. Testing of this oxy-fuel combustor was successfully completed by 2003. The success of these early tests provided CES with a starting point for projects of greater scale.

Pilot Phase

  During the mid 2000s, Clean Energy Systems worked towards developing a larger pilot study to demonstrate their capabilities. With funding provided primarily by the California Energy Commission, CES was able to retrofit an abandoned biomass power plant, known as Kimberlina, located in Bakersfield, California.  The Kimberlina Power Plant would serve as a demonstration facility for the 20 MWt gas generator. Other investors or partners involved with the development of the Kimberlina Power Plant included the U.S. Department of Energy, Mirant, and Air Liquide. The first synchronization to the electrical grid occurred in 2005. Within one year, the Kimberlina Power Plant had logged more than 300 starts and 1,300 hours of operation, becoming the worlds first non-polluting fossil fueled (natural gas) power plant.

Demonstration 

The first was a syngas combustor, capable of operation with coal, biomass, and other syngas feedstocks. CES was also busy working on modifications that would permit the use of liquid feedstocks and slurries of pulverized solid carbonaceous fuels.  In 2007, CES worked with a number of consulting design engineers to modify an existing GE J-79 gas turbine into a steam turbine, which was successfully tested at the Kimberlina Power Plant by 2010. These modifications allowed the turbine to operate at significantly increased power with the CES combustor.  In 2010, CES received federal funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop an industrial-scale oxy-fuel turbine. Known as the OFT-900, this oxy-fuel turbine is derived from a Siemens gas turbine (SGT-900). The Kimberlina Power Plant was upgraded to be able to handle the increased fuel, oxygen, and de-mineralized water requirements for this larger, 150 MWe expander turbine to demonstrate continuous operation in commercial-like settings. Initial testing took place in 2013 and successfully demonstrated the industrial-scale oxy-fuel power system.

Our Mission

"Deploying technology that makes Power without Pollution a reality."  Safe, reliable power that doesnt compromise the environment: Its been our mission since the beginning.  Clean Energy Systems has successfully transitioned proven, reliable rocket engine combustion principles into a flexible and economically attractive power generation system for the benefit of our planet. CES technology enables cleaner and more efficient co-generation of power, steam, water, and CO2 and offers the world a new perspective on the way we assess the value of natural resources.  Our core competence allows us to precision engineer complex and intricate technology solutions that meet your needs, be it in power generation, steam and CO2 generation, combustion (complete or partial), heat transfer, or other applications. Facilitated through partnerships with our customers and shareholders and enabled by an exceptional research and demonstration facility, CES has developed and built a unique product portfolio. Centered around customized precision-engineered components, our portfolio encompasses 20 to 200 MW steam and CO2 generators, drive gas re-heaters, steam/water separators, pressurized heat recovery systems, 30 to 150 MWe expander turbines, and more. These solutions are ready to fulfill our customers needs for zero emissions power, enhanced oil recovery, and the expansion of natural resource assets.  

What Weve Achieved

• Proprietary zero emissions technology for creating large volumes of high pressure, high temperature steam, CO2 gas and clean water in a very small footprint

• Zero-emission base load power generation (ZEPP)

• Operation with and cleanup of field produced water

• Diverse commercial applications including enhanced oil recovery (EOR) – CO2 and/or steam, and fast response power turbines (startup < 2 min)

• Strong (32) patent portfolio and with a 10 year lead over the competition

• Ability to monetize contaminated natural gas and other low quality fuels

• Demonstration of the worlds first oxy-fuel expander turbine

• Demonstration of highly efficient and compact gas reheat and heat exchange technology