Japanese energy companies to advance carbon management technology at WY Integrated Test Center
Cheyenne, WY. – Governor Matt Mead announced the Japanese Ministry of Environment has authorized the Japan Coal Energy Center (JCOAL) and Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) to test new carbon capture technologies at the Wyoming Integrated Test Center near Gillette, Wyoming.
A planned 800 – 1,000 million yen (approximately $7.33 – $9.12 million USD) grant will be allocated in phases. The first step is $0.9 million USD (approximately 98 million yen) to prepare a feasibility analysis of a novel, solid sorbent-based carbon capture technology.
Governor Mead and JCOAL signed a Memorandum of Understanding in July 2016 outlining areas of cooperation, including the research and development of coal technologies. In September of 2017, a Japanese delegation traveled to Gillette, WY to participate in a series of meetings hosted by the University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources and tour area facilities, including a coal mine and the ITC.
“I am excited to welcome Kawasaki, a highly esteemed company to Wyoming. This announcement is the culmination of many hours of research, strategic planning and vision. The work of JCOAL and Kawasaki, along with the other Carbon XPRIZE teams, positions the Wyoming ITC as world class facility for testing carbon management technologies,” said Wyoming Governor Matt Mead.
JCOAL and KHI’s planning and design work will occur in 2018. Following feasibility study, JCOAL and KHI plan to test the solid sorbent-based carbon capture technology at the Wyoming Integrated Test Center. Economic and environmental assessments will be conducted. Preparation of a test pad at the ITC for JCOAL and KHI has started and will be completed later this year.
In March 2018, a delegation from Wyoming visited the KHI test facility, toured a large coal power plant that uses Powder River Basin coal and a carbon sequestration test site. The group also held discussions with KHI, JCOAL and the Ministry of Environment about long-term collaborative opportunities, including addition project testing at the Wyoming Integrated Test Center.
