News & Events

Stay up-to-date on the new sCO2 power generation technology that will revolutionize future power generation.

Over 100 online and print mentions in mainstream media and trade publications on the STEP Demo Groundbreaking by the next day.

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October 2024—STEP Demo Pilot Completes Phase 1 Testing

The STEP Demo pilot plant has achieved a critical milestone with the successful completion of Phase 1 testing. During this phase, the turbine achieved full operational speed at 27,000 RPM, operating at 500°C, validating the operability and efficiency of the sCO2 power cycle in a simple recuperating configuration. The plant generated 4 megawatts (MWe) of grid synchronized power— enough to supply electricity to 4,000 homes.

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October 2023—Mechanical Completion Ribbon-Cutting Event

In late October, the team celebrated the opening of the high-efficiency Supercritical Transformational Electric Power (STEP) Demo test facility in San Antonio. The project successfully achieved sCO2 fluid conditions in early 2023, has been commissioning components, and was mechanically completed in October. System commissioning is underway and full-scale testing is expected to begin in early 2024.
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Robert Schrecengost and Bhima Sastri, U.S. DOE; Jeff Moore, SwRI; Reginald Mitchell, DOE; Bill Follett, GTI Energy; and Tim Allison, SwRI

March 2023—DOE Visit to Facility

Bhima Sastri, Robert Schrecengost, P. E., and Reginald Mitchell of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) visited the STEP Demo facility in San Antonio to see first-hand the progress that has been made as the pilot plant successfully achieves supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) fluid conditions. Pictured left to right: Robert Schrecengost and Bhima Sastri, U.S. DOE; Jeff Moore, SwRI; Reginald Mitchell, DOE; Bill Follett, GTI Energy; and Tim Allison, SwRI.
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February 2023—Significant Components Installed

The major components needed to complete piping have all been installed. These include the sCO2 turbine, the turbine stop valve, and the high temperature recuperator. The team expects to begin commissioning of the full system in the Fall of 2023.
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October 2022—Supercritical CO2 10 MW Demonstration Project Under Construction

Why is supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) so valuable? For one, sCO2 power cycles can offer higher cycle efficiencies due to their unique fluid and thermodynamic properties. Two, it reduces emissions and uses compact turbomachinery, resulting in lower cost. Learn more in the Sept/Oct 2022 article on page 30.
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February 2022—JIP Meeting and Tour of STEP Demo

In February 2022, the STEP Demo team hosted a Joint Industry Program (JIP) meeting in conjunction with the 7th International Supercritical CO2 Power Cycles Symposium in San Antonio, Texas.  See more

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January 2022—STEP Demo Facility Continuing to Build

Significant progress has been made in the STEP Demo project with final equipment manufacturing, delivery, and installation. Commissioning is scheduled for late 2022, and testing is scheduled for early 2023.  See more

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Successful Supercritical Transformational Electric Power Demonstration (STEP Demo) Site Visit Oct 21

More than thirty-five people had the opportunity to visit the Supercritical Transformational Electric Power Project Demonstration (STEP Demo) site on October 21 and see the revolutionary new power generation technology first hand! See more

ASME Turbo Expo

Proceedings Paper: The STEP 10 MWe sCO2 Pilot Demonstration Status Update

The paper from the conference is now available online. It was authored by John Marion, Brian Lariviere, Aaron McClung, Jason Mortzheim and presented at the virtual Turbo Expo 2021 Turbomachinery Technical Conference & Exposition June 7–11, 2021 online

Paper No: GT2021-58981, V010T30A011; 9 pages

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Supercritical Transformational Electric Power Demonstration (STEP Demo) Site Visit Oct 21

RSVP deadline for site visit extended until Oct 14! Don’t miss this opportunity to visit the newly constructed 22,000 sq-ft building on SwRI’s campus in San Antonio as part of the Experience POWER conference. You will have the chance to see how things are coming together at this state-of-the-art demonstration site to advance sCO2 Brayton power cycles. Come see revolutionary new power generation technology first hand on Oct 21, 11:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m. CST. Guests will also visit SwRI’s Turbomachinery Research Facility.

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August 2021 Update: Process Heater Delivered

The STEP Demo project reached another important milestone with the delivery of the process heater coil module and completion of the mechanical assembly of the supercritical CO2 process heater for the facility. View the video

 

 

 

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STEP Demo named finalist in the POWER Awards Emerging Technology Developer category

The STEP Demo team is honored to be considered among the innovative leaders from the power generation industry. We look forward to seeing our colleagues again in person and learning who the winner is at the Experience POWER Conference on October 18.

 

 

 

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May 2021—All the Pieces are Coming Together

Significant progress has occurred at the STEP Demo facility inside and out. New equipment continues to arrive and get installed on a daily basis. See more

 

 

 

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January 2021—New Global Partners

International collaboration is critically important to successfully address the worldwide need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and the STEP Demo project has partners from around the globe to support this capital-intensive demonstration.

In 2020, Engie, a French multinational electric and gas company, Australia's national science research agency, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), and The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), their leading state-owned power utility, joined the initiative as Joint Industry Partners. The project team is thrilled to have these world leading organizations as part of the STEP Demo project and their guidance and support to the commercialization of sCO2 power technology.

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June 2020—Building Construction Complete

The Certificate of Occupancy for the new building recently constructed has been received, and component manufacturing and equipment installation is following along quickly. Find out more

STEP 2020 Construction Countdown

March 2020—Construction Countdown

Construction of the STEP Demo pilot plant is moving along and is slated for occupancy in May, when equipment installation will begin. Find out more

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Tour the STEP Demo Pilot Plant site during the 7th International SCO2 Power Cycles Symposium

The 7th International sCO2 Power Cycles Symposium on March 30-April 2, 2020 in San Antonio, Texas will include a tour of the STEP Demo site at Southwest Research Institute. In addition, GTI Energy’s Don Stevenson, Vice President and Managing Director, Energy Supply and Conversion, will present a Keynote on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 at 12:30 p.m. Visit the conference website for more details.

ASME Turbo Expo

Proceedings Paper: The STEP 10 MWe sCO2 Pilot Plant Demonstration

The paper from the conference is now available online. It was authored by John Marion, Mike Kutin, Aaron McClung, Jason Mortzheim, and Robin Ames and presented at the Turbo Expo 2019 Turbomachinery Technical Conference & Exposition June 17–21, 2019, Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Paper No: GT2019-91917, V009T38A031; 8 pages

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Construction at STEP Demo San Antonio Site Progressing

STEP Demo customers from DOE along with the STEP Project team members from GTI Energy, SwRI, and GE recently attended a program review and toured the San Antonio facility site. Find out more

 

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GTI Energy and KEPRI sCO2 Technology Status and Commercialization Workshop

On April 25, 2019, GTI Energy and Korea Electric Power Research Institute (KEPRI) hosted a stakeholder workshop covering progression of sCO2 technology to its current level of maturity and next steps towards commercialization. Find out more

 

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STEP Demo Lunch and Learn at the Capitol in Austin, TX

Staff members representing Texas elected officials attended a luncheon on February 15, 2019, to learn more about the increased efficiency, reduction in costs, emissions, and water use plus other important benefits of the supercritical CO2 technology. Find out more

 

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Academic Partner Added

The University of Houston has been added as an academic partner. UH Faculty and students will become familiar with the design criteria, operational constraints and specifications, and performance of the indirect-fired sCO2 power cycle. Find out more

 

STEP Congressional Leaders

STEP Demo Groundbreaking Ceremony

On October 15, 2018, GTI Energy joined with Southwest Research Institute, GE Global Research, and the U.S. Department of Energy/National Energy Technology Laboratory (DOE/NETL) to celebrate the groundbreaking of the $119 million first-of-its-kind 10MW Supercritical Transformational Electric Power (STEP) pilot plant known as STEP Demo. Find out more

 

Become a project partner

This open project is welcoming new partners from around the world. OEMs, engineering companies, and power plant owner/operators are invited to join to gain a better understanding of how sCO2 technology can improve high-efficiency power generation.

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For more information, contact Markus Lesemann directly.