Supercritical CO2 cycles can be configured to accommodate the temperature and pressure characteristics of various heat sources (including renewables like solar, geothermal, and waste heat), providing superior efficiency in converting heat to electrical power. Carbon dioxide is particularly attractive as a working fluid because of its low toxicity and, in the supercritical region, its compressibility and ability to transfer heat.

The projected reductions in the size and cost of sCO2 turbomachinery are also attractive for distributed power generation from renewable sources. In some cases, the properties of CO2 make it a promising heat extraction medium as well. Learn more about sCO2 power cycles that use:

  • Concentrating Solar Power (CSP)
  • Geothermal Energy
  • Waste Heat