CASPER, Wyo. — Rocky Mountain Power announced today it has formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate with 8 Rivers (with support from South Korea’s SK Group), a full-service net-zero solutions provider, to evaluate a potential carbon capture project at one of the utility’s existing brownfield power plant sites in Wyoming.
The project would utilize solid fuel-fired Allam-Fetvedt Cycle (AFC) technology, which would include syngas fired power generation with inherent carbon capture. The technology is an integration of commercially available gasification technology and the AFC technology. The Allam-Fetvedt Cycle is an oxyfuel process invented by 8 Rivers that uses carbon dioxide to drive a turbine to generate power.
The MOU provides for the three companies to cooperate in identifying the preferred brownfield plant site in Wyoming to develop the project, including evaluating the Wyodak coal-fired power plant near Gillette, or the Dave Johnston coal-fired power plant near Glenrock. The MOU also provides for the companies to conduct feasibility evaluations, with an expectation of advancing to various phases of engineering and design studies after a site is selected.
Rocky Mountain Power has been evaluating potential carbon capture projects at its Wyoming coal facilities since 2018. The company believes this MOU creates a new pathway for a carbon capture project that would be different than other potential projects it has evaluated, because the technology is expected to be competitively viable, economical, and any upfront development capital costs of the project will not be shouldered by Rocky Mountain Power customers but will instead be carried by the 8 Rivers development team.
“Rocky Mountain Power has been diligently engaged in the process to comply with Wyoming’s desire to implement carbon capture at the company’s coal generating units in Wyoming,” said James Owen, Rocky Mountain Power vice president for environmental, fuels and mining. “The partnership and collaboration announced today is a major step forward in determining if carbon capture technologies can bring benefits to our customers in Wyoming at a reasonable cost.”
“By investing in this cutting-edge technology, we are taking a proactive stance in addressing climate change, while simultaneously unlocking new efficiencies and cost savings,” said Damian Beauchamp, 8 Rivers’ president and chief development officer. “This leads to more affordable energy solutions for customers. Carbon capture is not just about reducing emissions; it's about demonstrating our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and the well-being of the communities we serve.”