Possible Wyoming carbon capture project eyed in collaboration between Rocky Mountain Power, 8 Rivers

Plans for a carbon capture project at a brownfield power plant site in Wyoming advanced this week with formalization of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Rocky Mountain Power and net-zero solutions provider 8 Rivers.

“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,” James Owen, Rocky Mountain Power vice president for environmental, fuels and mining, said. “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.”

If the project gains traction, it would tap solid fuel-fired Allam-Fetvedt Cycle (AFC) technology invented by 8 Rivers. It uses CO2 to drive turbines for power generation, integrating commercially available gasification technology and the aforementioned AFC technology. It would include syngas fired power generation with carbon capture. For deployment, the pair would focus on Rocky Mountain Power’s existing brownfield sites.

The MOU moves the companies to their next step: identifying the preferred brownfield plant site for development. Chief among them are either the Wyodak coal-fired power plant or the Dave Johnston coal-fired power plant. On top of this, the companies now have a path forward to undertake feasibility evaluations. For its part, Rocky Mountain Power has been contemplating potential carbon capture projects for its Wyoming coal facilities since 2018.

Efforts by 8 Rivers will be backed by support from South Korea’s SK Group.

“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,” Damian Beauchamp, 8 Rivers’ president and chief development officer, said. “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.”

Under their group arrangement, capital costs of the project would not be borne by Rocky Mountain Power’s customers. Instead, the 8 Rivers development team would pick up that tab.