Black Hills Energy (BHE), a utility company that serves over 1.2 million customers in eight states, has announced that it will be working with Babcock & Wilcox (B&W) on a feasibility study for a proposed project that aims to produce clean hydrogen from coal and capture carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions at BHE’s Neil Simpson Power Plant in Gillette, Wyoming. The project will utilize B&W’s BrightLoop™ hydrogen generation technology, a chemical looping technology that can use a variety of fuels to produce clean energy with complete CO2 capture.
The feasibility study will analyze the cost and economics of deploying the BrightLoop chemical looping technology at a commercial scale to produce low carbon intensity hydrogen gas from Powder River Basin (PRB) coal and a nearly pure stream of CO2 suitable for beneficial use or storage without the need for expensive carbon separation equipment. The proposed project aligns with BHE’s goals of diversifying Wyoming’s energy production, creating and preserving jobs, and establishing new markets for the state’s natural resources.
B&W’s BrightLoop technology is unique in that it captures CO2 and other pollutants while producing hydrogen, providing a vital pathway to utilize the abundant natural resource of coal in a net-zero world. With over 30 years of research, BHE sees this as an opportunity to unite clean energy technology with Wyoming’s important and abundant energy resources.
Mark Stege, BHE’s Vice President of Wyoming Operations, commented on the partnership, saying, “We appreciate the partnership with B&W and the prospect of leveraging innovative hydrogen technology to deliver efficient energy to customers.”
B&W’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Jimmy Morgan added, “We are excited to utilize our highly experienced U.S. engineering team to work with BHE to develop a solution that will help them achieve their goals.”
The proposed project has the potential to make a significant impact in the field of clean energy, as it could help to reduce CO2 emissions from coal-fired power plants while also creating new markets for hydrogen. However, it is important to note that coal is still a non-renewable resource and has been criticized for its negative impact on the environment, including air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
In conclusion, the partnership between BHE and B&W to study the feasibility of producing clean hydrogen from coal and capturing CO2 emissions using BrightLoop technology has the potential to bring about significant change in the energy industry. If successful, this project could be a major step towards achieving a net-zero world, while also creating new markets for hydrogen and supporting the growth of Wyoming’s energy industry.
