CO₂ capture at Knippegroen: ENGIE investigates feasibility in industrial practice
ENGIE is testing a CCS installation at the Knippegroen power station in the port of Ghent. The aim is to determine whether it is technically and economically feasible to extract CO₂ directly from industrial flue gases.
The installation purifies the residual gases from the power station in several stages, capturing up to 90 to 95 per cent of the CO₂. The technology is being tested under a variety of operating conditions with the aim of gaining insight into its performance, flexibility and potential for upscaling. In Belgium, this is one of the few projects where CCS is already being tested in a real industrial environment.
From test project to future option
CO₂ capture is not yet an economically viable solution, but the context is changing rapidly. Rising CO₂ prices and stricter climate targets make it clear that additional solutions are needed for certain industrial processes. By investing in test projects now, ENGIE is building up the knowledge needed for future upscaling.
Added value for the Smart Delta Resources region
Knippegroen illustrates the power of partnerships in the Smart Delta Resources region. The power plant runs on residual gases from ArcelorMittal and supplies the electricity it generates directly back to the steel company. Adding CCS to this existing ecosystem creates additional scope for smarter management of carbon flows and reducing emissions.
Key data for the Knippegroen project (CCS)
- Location: Knippegroen power station of ENGIE (Laborelec), Ghent harbour
- Objective: To test the technical and economic feasibility of CO₂ capture
- Capture rate: approx. 90–95%
- Scale: Demonstration plant (± 6 metres high)
- Duration: > 1 year test phase
- Phase 1: testing at Knippegroen gas power station (performance & optimisation)
- Phase 2: possible deployment at other power stations (e.g. biomass)
