Carbon capture technology developers break ground at Wyoming Integrated Test Center located at Basin Electric's Dry Fork Station

Two large carbon capture projects held a groundbreaking ceremony at the Wyoming Integrated Test Center (ITC) at Basin Electric's Dry Fork Station near Gillette, Wyoming.

Membrane Technology and Research (MTR) will be utilizing the ITC’s large test bay as they begin their membrane carbon capture technology project that is part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) large-scale pilot carbon capture program.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI), and its partner Japan Carbon Frontier Organization (formerly JCoal), will be launching onsite activities for their solid sorbent capture technology, a project commissioned by the Japanese government.

These projects will join the ITC’s project portfolio, which represents over $100 million in carbon capture and carbon utilization technology deployment, and will serve as a crucial step towards advancing these technologies to commercialization.

The ITC is a carbon capture and utilization testing facility that is located at Basin Electric's Dry Fork Station. Technology developers have access to scrubbed flue gas that would otherwise be released from the plant.

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon said the state is committed to decarbonization at the groundbreaking ceremony. “It is rewarding to see this next milestone in the development of carbon capture on a coal-fired plant and further fulfillment of the Integrated Test Center’s mission. I am unwavering in my commitment to using the State of Wyoming’s resources to ensure coal remains a viable, reliable fuel for the next generation through CO₂ capture. Partnerships such as these with Japan and the DOE underscore the global leadership Wyoming has to offer regarding transitioning traditional energy development through the reduction of carbon emissions. This is a wonderful achievement and one worthy of celebration.”

“The ITC has been working with these two developers since 2019 as they have moved their projects toward large- scale testing,” said Jason Begger, managing director of the ITC. “Carbon capture will be absolutely essential to ensuring baseload power continues to be available to the grid. We are so excited for both MTR and KHI to move to the next phase of their technology advancement.” 

“In view of the cruciality of sustainable climate change actions and energy security, we shall focus on our efforts to promote zero CO₂ emissions technologies for coal utilization and not on coal phase-out. Establishment of CO₂ separation and capture technology that enables coal use while addressing global warming is extremely important to achieve both carbon neutrality and energy security. For this point of view, the project is becoming increasingly important,” said Mr. Osamu Tsukamoto, president of Japan Carbon Frontier Organization.

Mr. Tomohiko Sugimoto, KHI general manager, said, “This is a great opportunity for Kawasaki to participate in this project. We implement the demonstration test as a joint partner of Japan Carbon Frontier Organization and supply our own developed solid sorbents for such tests. Thanks to the kind cooperation and support by the State of Wyoming, ITC, and Basin Electric, we believe that the demonstration tests will be implemented on schedule with successful results as planned. We wish to contribute to the achievement of carbon neutrality in the world by delivering our carbon capture system with own solid sorbents soon.”

“Today’s groundbreaking represents the culmination of 15 years of research, development, and testing to produce a remarkable clean-capture technology,” said Brett Andrews, president of MTR Carbon Capture. “Once built, the 150 tonne/day large pilot project will be the largest non-solvent-based capture plant in the world, and it represents our final step toward commercial deployment. We are excited and truly appreciative of the support of the Department of Energy, the State of Wyoming, the ITC, and our project partners.”