In this paper, research will be discussed on how to scientifically, systematically, and economically reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the state of West Virginia, USA. While fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas remain the top resources within this particular state, there are new technologies, different approaches and modifications to current power generation cycles, and different fuels that can be presented to gain further reduction of these harmful emissions.
To achieve this objective, eight different scenarios were introduced. In the first scenario, existing power stations’ fuel was switched to natural gas. Existing power plants were replaced by natural gas combined cycle (NGCC), integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC), solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), hybrid SOFC, and SOFC-IGCC hybrid power stations in scenarios number 2 to 6, respectively. The last two scenarios involved carbon capture systems. It has been found that the CO2 emissions can be significantly reduced by introducing changes and alternatives to the current cycles and methods that are in place today.
