Babcock & Wilcox and Black Hills Energy Win Wyoming Grant for BrightLoop™ Low-Carbon Hydrogen

Babcock & Wilcox, in collaboration with Black Hills Energy, announced the reception of a $16 million grant from the Wyoming Energy Authority. The grant is allocated for supporting permitting, engineering, and development activities for a clean hydrogen generation facility, incorporating carbon dioxide capture and sequestration. This facility is planned to be located at Black Hills Energy’s Neil Simpson Power Plant in Gillette, Wyoming.

The proposed design of the plant incorporates Babcock & Wilcox's BrightLoop™ technology, aiming to generate clean energy from coal while addressing CO2 emissions through sequestration or beneficial use. The envisioned plant is projected to have the capacity to produce 15 tons of clean hydrogen daily, employing the patented chemical looping technology of BrightLoop.

Expressing enthusiasm about the project's progression, Brandy Johnson, Chief Technology Officer at B&W, extended gratitude to the State of Wyoming and the Wyoming Energy Authority for their support. Johnson expressed that they anticipate collaborating closely with their partner, Black Hills Energy, as they conclude the engineering phase, initiate construction, and progress towards the completion of the commercial-scale project. He mentioned that the project aligns with Wyoming's initiatives to harness an abundant and cost-effective natural resource for clean energy production. Furthermore, it serves as a demonstration of the adaptability and versatility of B&W’s BrightLoop technology.

Highlighting the collaboration's significance, Johnson acknowledged the longstanding partnership with Black Hills Energy, emphasizing the groundbreaking nature of this venture. "Together we will be forging a new path for Wyoming’s and America’s clean energy future, helping combat climate change while supporting jobs in Wyoming’s energy industry," Johnson added.

Mark Lux, Vice President of Power Delivery for Black Hills Energy, expressed pride in the partnership with B&W and the potential impact of the project. Lux stated, "We’re committed to supporting the advancement of emerging technologies that create solutions for a reliable, cost-effective, cleaner energy future."

Babcock & Wilcox's BrightLoop chemical looping technology is an integral part of its ClimateBright™ suite of decarbonization and hydrogen technologies. The BrightLoop process utilizes a proprietary, regenerable particle, demonstrating effectiveness in separating CO2 while concurrently producing hydrogen, steam, and/or syngas.

The joint endeavor by Babcock & Wilcox and Black Hills Energy aligns with the industry's push for sustainable and cleaner energy solutions. The utilization of BrightLoop™ technology not only showcases advancements in clean energy production but also underscores the commitment to mitigating climate change impacts.

As the project progresses into the engineering and construction phases, the collaboration between the two companies is anticipated to pave the way for a transformative and influential initiative in Wyoming's energy landscape. The support from the Wyoming Energy Authority reflects the state's dedication to leveraging its abundant natural resources for clean energy production, contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.