Gasifier builtwith technology ofSynthesis Energy Systems in Yima, Henanprovince,converts low-quality coal into synthetic natural gas for methanol production. PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY

Houston-based Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc (SES) announced on Thursday that it has entered into an agreement with Chinese state-owned power company for a cleaner coal-power generation program.

The first phase of the program for Dengfeng Power Group Co, Ltd (DFPG) in Henan province will be a feasibility study for the first of several planned 160 MW distributed power plants designed to utilize two SES advanced fluidized bed gasification systems.

Upon the completion of successful feasibility studies and requisite government approvals, the first cleaner coal distributed power plant is expected to be built in Dengfeng. It is intended to serve as a model for additional cleaner coal distributed power generation projects in Dengfen as well as in other regions of China."We will be moving forward immediately to complete the initial feasibility studies for what we believe may be the first of several distributed power plants," said Robert Rigdon, SES president and CEO.

According to SES, they expect the prefeasibility study to be completed during the first quarter of 2015. Then its team will move into the broader and more comprehensive feasibility study phase, which will provide a lot more detail and is required for government approvals.

DFPG Chairman Liu Yingzhong said in Thursday's announcement, "We are hopeful for a successful first project, which we can use as a showcase and then replicate many times in Henan and in other parts of China."

Jiangsu Tianwo-SES Clean Energy Technologies Ltd (TESC) will provide the gasification equipment,and General Electric will provide four GE aero-derivativegas turbines and related power-generation equipment. TESC is a joint venture between SES and SuzhuoTianwo Science and Technology Co Ltd.

SES partnered with GE in April 2013 to jointly market their gasification and aero-derivative gas turbine technologies for the energy market. Now they are doing the feasibility, engineering and financial evaluation of a similar turnkey 160 MW power plant in Pakistan.

SES has been in China since 2008 working to create clean energy from low-quality coal. It has already set up two joint ventures in China to convert low quality coal into synthetic natural gas for two methanol plants. Earlier this month, Aluminum Corporation of China (CHALCO), China's largest alumina and primary aluminum producer, awarded SES's China joint-venture partner an order for three industrial syngas supply plants utilizing seven SES gasification systems.

mayzhou@chinadailyusa.com