NET Power, a pioneering clean energy technology company, is transforming natural gas into clean energy through its patented oxy-combustion process, a technology with potential applications in CCUS. With a mission to globally deliver the "Energy Trifecta"—clean, reliable, and affordable energy—NET Power develops and licenses technology that significantly reduces life cycle emissions including capturing CO2 for potential use in CCUS solutions.

WSP supports NET Power in testing and validating NET Power’s innovative technology at their La Porte Test Facility in Texas.

Overview of the Partnership

WSP has been integral to NET Power’s multi-phase, multi-year testing and validation program at the La Porte Demonstration Facility, focusing on the integration of commercially available equipment alongside development and validation of NET Power’s unique combustor and turboexpander design technologies critical to achieving efficient CCUS. The validation of key equipment and the overall system at relevant scale is critical to NET Power’s commercialisation.

Specific Contributions:

• Engineering consultant and designer responsible for the multi-disciplinary design modifications, including the relocation and replacement of critical equipment.
• Detailed engineering design for integrating combustor and turboexpander designs.

Technical Collaboration

Design and Engineering Contributions:

We have supported NET Power across various projects, from feasibility studies to detailed engineering designs, including technology readiness assessments and process safety reviews. We have been a central player in the integration of the NET Power technology with their joint development partner Baker Hughes at La Porte, ensuring seamless operation and testing of new components, critical to achieving efficient CCUS. Our specific contributions at the La Porte Test Facility include:

• Working with NET Power to translate the overall process design to detailed deliverables for all engineering disciplines.
• Mechanical and piping design for services connecting proprietary equipment to the existing test facility.
• Electrical and control & instrumentation designs to ensure safe and efficient testing and data collection.
• Civil and structural design to accommodate necessary modifications.

We have also supported NET Power in previous projects at the La Porte facility, including the testing of combustor technology in direct-fired supercritical CO2 cycles.

Innovation and Differentiation

WSP stands out in the clean energy sector through its commitment to innovation and its proactive approach to problem-solving, especially in projects involving CCUS. Our collaboration with NET Power showcases our ability to handle demanding operating conditions and develop cost-effective, reusable designs for testing phases.

Scott Martin, NET Power's Chief Technical Officer, praised WSP for their tenacity, innovative mindset, and ability to address challenges without hesitation, ensuring smooth progress in their joint projects.

" While we don't expect WSP to create patents for us, their approach to problem-solving is exemplary. Instead of reacting with a 'we can't do this' mindset, they view challenges as opportunities for resolution. This proactive and solution-oriented attitude is essential when working with cutting-edge technology."

Collaboration and Integration:

The partnership between WSP and NET Power is marked by close collaboration and integration. Prashant Thapar, Associate Director, Thermal Transition at WSP explains:

WSP and NET Power have developed a close relationship. Embracing modern working methods, the engineering teams collaborate and communicate daily. Additionally, WSP representatives have travelled to La Porte five times since February 2023 and also welcomed a contingent of NET Power representatives to our Manchester office in January 2024 for face-to-face alignment meetings.

Scott Martin highlighted WSP’s strengths in innovation, collaboration, project management, and responsiveness, noting their effective international collaboration and the seamless execution of projects without requiring extensive in-person interactions.

"Despite the geographic distance we have between our teams, we feel there's very little in the way of boundaries in terms of information sharing and problem resolution. It’s great work that Prashant and the team have done.”

The unique challenges of a first of a kind technology require flexibility and creativity, which Scott Martin has also praised the WSP team for:

“I don't turn around and worry that if I give him a call, I'm going to get hit with some massive change order. The intent is ‘let's work together to solve the problem. We're going to do it in a collaborative manner.’"