![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
-
MOUNTAIN HOME, AR – Dec. 23, 2022 – Immediately following restoration of system pressure in Mountain Home at approximately 8 p.m. this evening, technicians began the relighting process for our residential customers. Thirty Black Hills Energy technicians and team members from across Arkansas with…
-
MOUNTAIN HOME, AR – Dec. 23, 2022 – Black Hills Energy technicians are working nonstop to complete a multistep process to restore natural gas service as quickly and safely as possible in Mountain Home. Technicians are going door to door turning off service to 339 impacted natural gas meters to…
-
DENVER – Dec. 22, 2022 – The arctic air and sub-zero temperatures have descended on Colorado and surrounding states, keeping people indoors and causing some to take unusual steps to try and stay warm, which could lead to dangerous carbon monoxide build-up or poisoning. Five cold weather safety…
-
LINCOLN, Neb. – December 20, 2022 – This week, Nebraska forecasts are calling for chilly temperatures and the potential for measurable snowfall. With frigid air on the way, Black Hills Energy wants you to be prepared. “Nebraskans deserve safe and reliable natural gas, so we’ve built our system…