Arup helps deliver cleaner, more efficient thermal power as part of far-sighted energy solutions.
A judicious mix of energy sources – including low-carbon thermal plants – can help balance the energy needs of our growing world with the challenges of sustainable supply. Arup has helped realise over 100GW of forward-thinking thermal power projects in more than 20 countries, including Australia, China, Nigeria and Columbia.
We combine planning and design with environmental and business consultancy to take new schemes from concept to operation. We also enable successful switches from tired and polluting plants with expertise in environmental retrofit, decommissioning and site re-use.
Our services include pre-feasibility, site selection, environmental impact assessment, design and tender support, specification, review, procurement and project management. We also have extensive capability in infrastructure associated with thermal energy, including pipelines, transmission lines, transport systems and logistics.
Bringing about change
Arup joins up technical expertise with commercial insight to help the energy sector adopt improved approaches to thermal energy, from using renewable fuels to cutting emissions by capturing carbon.
Our wide-ranging support to E.ON at their Blackburn Meadows site enabled safe demolition of a decommissioned coal-fired power station and prepared the way for its replacement: a renewable plant that will provide lower carbon energy to around 40,000 homes.
Elsewhere fossil fuels continue to power thermal plants. Arup is helping to advance ideas that prevent carbon entering the atmosphere by capturing and depositing it in long-term storage – in depleted oil and gas fields, for example.
Our Europe-wide CO2 infrastructure study is helping the European Commission plan an effective carbon-capture future with blueprints for geological storage sites and carbon dioxide transport networks.
Gaining efficiency
Increasingly, technological advances are making thermal fuels go further. Developments in flexible ‘peaker’ plants, supercritical coal and combined cycle plants are helping operators conserve resources and keep energy costs down.
Arup’s pragmatic approach helps investors, developers and operators move to more efficient thermal generation. For instance, we are providing application support to Scottish Power for a new combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power station at Avonmouth. Our role involves securing timely consent while maximising future adaptability by maintaining the greatest possible flexibility in site configuration.
Download our thermal energy brochure (PDF, 660KB) to find out more.