Chaotan One: World's 1st supercritical CO2 power unit starts in China

Chaotan One, the world’s first commercial power generator using supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) instead of steam, has commenced operations in China, marking a significant advancement in power generation technology. This innovation breaks from the century-old reliance on steam as the working medium in turbines, offering a major boost in efficiency. Unlike steam, which requires energy-intensive boiling and phase changes, sCO2 operates above its critical temperature and pressure, combining gas-like and liquid-like properties that enable more efficient turbine operation with less energy loss. Located in a steel factory in Liupanshui, Guizhou Province, Chaotan One consists of two 15-megawatt units that convert residual heat from steel production into electricity. The system is expected to increase net electricity generation by 50% and improve overall power generation efficiency to over 85%, while also featuring a simpler design with fewer components compared to traditional steam-cycle plants. This successful deployment demonstrates the feasibility of sCO2 as a working fluid and suggests