Plasma Gasification

Plasma Gasification in Somerset, Massachusetts

NRG has launched plans to "repower" its existing coal plant in Somerset, Massachusetts using an innovative technology known as "plasma gasification."

As part of the plasma gasification process, a repowered Somerset plant would no longer "burn" coal. It will gasify coal and other fuel sources and create syngas during the process. It is a more environmentally friendly process than combustion, or burning, and results in emissions levels closer to those of a natural gas plant. Using biomass-based fuels also reduces net carbon emissions.

What is Plasma Gasification?

Plasma gasification is a technology we believe has great potential to clean environmentally challenged plants around the country. Plasma gasification is not new, but only recently was it realized as a means to clean power generation. It involves transforming coal or any number of feed stocks, including solid biomass and wood, into synthetic gas (syngas). Emissions are reduced far below conventional coal plants and are comparable to IGCC levels.