![Wyodak mine](/sites/blackhillsenergy.com/files/2022-03/wyodak-mine-891x608.jpg)
GILLETTE, WY – May 1, 2023 – Black Hills Energy was recently awarded a grant from the Wyoming Energy Authority (WEA) to conduct a feasibility analysis on hydrogen generation using coal from their Wyodak Mine in Campbell County. The ongoing project partners engineers from Black Hills Energy with clean power production experts from Babcock & Wilcox (B&W), as well as members of the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department at Ohio State University.
WEA Program Director Anja Richmond said about the awarded project, “Our mission at WEA is to embrace an all of the above energy strategy towards reducing emissions. In doing so, we encourage innovation that supports the continued relevancy of every power generation source, including coal. The collaboration and advancement of exploring critical new ways to use Wyoming coal present great potential for our state.”
B&W’s innovative BrightLoopTM chemical looping technology is an oxidation reduction chemical process that produces hydrogen and a nearly pure product stream of carbon dioxide without the need for expensive carbon capture equipment to extract the carbon emissions.
“Over 30 years of research has led us to this opportunity to unite clean energy technology with Wyoming’s important and abundant energy resources,” said Mark Stege, Black Hills Energy’s vice president of Wyoming operations. “We are honored by this grant and the prospect of leveraging innovative hydrogen technology to deliver efficient energy to customers.”
A conceptual design and estimate for a semi-commercial scale plant will be developed as part of the analysis. If determined to be feasible and cost-effective, a second phase would include the construction of the facility using the BrightLoop technology at Black Hills Energy’s Neil Simpson Complex in Wyoming.
“We are excited to work with Black Hills Energy to develop a solution that will help them achieve their goals of creating and preserving jobs, diversifying Wyoming’s energy production and establishing new markets for the state’s natural resources,” said B&W Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Jimmy Morgan. “We thank Black Hills Energy for this opportunity and for the confidence they have shown in B&W’s BrightLoop technology.”
Derek Silbaugh, director of power delivery management at Black Hills Energy and Will Latta, new technology commercialization program manager for Babcock&Wilcox will speak about the partnership on a panel at the upcoming Wyoming Energy Authority Next Frontier Energy Summit May 9 in Cheyenne.
Black Hills Energy News
-
CHEYENNE – Feb. 23, 2023 – Sub-zero temperatures have descended on Wyoming and surrounding states, keeping people indoors and causing some to consider additional steps to stay warm, some of which could lead to dangerous carbon monoxide build-up or poisoning. Five cold weather safety tips Make…
-
RAPID CITY, SD — February 21, 2023 — The National Weather Service forecasted winter storm conditions throughout the Black Hills area that will bring snow accumulation and dangerous wind chill temperatures. Black Hills Energy operations teams are watching the weather closely and preparing for…
-
CHEYENNE, WY – February 21, 2023 – Black Hills Energy is closely monitoring weather conditions and forecasts for a winter storm predicted to impact many of our Wyoming service areas. The operations teams from both our electric and natural gas business units are preparing for possible ice, heavy…
-
CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Jan. 30, 2023 – Black Hills Corp.’s electric utility, Cheyenne Light, Fuel and Power, doing business as Black Hills Energy, announced today the approval by the Wyoming Public Service Commission to implement new rates for electric service, effective for customer usage on and after…