JCOAL and Kawasaki to Advance Carbon Management Technology at Wyoming ITC

Gov   2-24-18

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 (ITC) 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 ITC. 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 ITC.   

About the ITC

The ITC is a public-private partnership designed to foster the next generation of energy technology. The ITC will provide space for researchers to test Carbon Capture, Utilization and Sequestration (CCUS) technologies using actual coal-based flue gas from the Dry Fork Station near Gillette.

In 2014, with the support and encouragement of Governor Matt Mead, the Wyoming State Legislature allocated $15 million in funding for the design, construction and operation of an integrated test center to study the capture, sequestration and management of carbon emissions from a Wyoming coal-based power plant. An additional $5 million commitment from private industry was required under the appropriation, which was received from the Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association. In addition, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association contributed $1 million. Basin Electric Power Cooperative is providing additional in-kind contributions including engineering and construction management services at the Dry Fork Station host site, which is jointly owned by Basin Electric and the Wyoming Municipal Power Agency.

About JCOAL

JCOAL is a one-stop organization for energy and coal development and utilization under supervision of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). JCOAL is supported by its member companies and organizations in a wide range of coal-related businesses, including coal mining companies, power companies, steel companies, heavy industry companies, engineering companies, and trading companies. It works in close cooperation with METI, MOE and other government bodies and government-affiliated organizations, including Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation, New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, and Japan International Cooperation Agency.

About KHI

Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI), has for more than a century developed technological capabilities that it uses to send diverse products. Its products are used from the depths of the ocean to space and everywhere in between. Its aerospace products range from aircraft to satellites; rolling stock products include the Shinkansen (bullet train) and subway cars; ship and offshore structure products range from gas carriers and large tankers to submarines; and energy solutions products covers the spectrum from development and manufacture of energy equipment to management systems. KHI is also active in diverse, high-level engineering technologies, including environmental and recycling plants, industrial plants, precision machinery, industrial robots, and infrastructure equipment.