This week, Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon approved the allocation of $1.5 million in funding via the Wyoming Energy Authority’s Energy Matching Funds program to support preliminary-front end engineering and design (pre-FEED) for a planned carbon capture project led by 8 Rivers and utility Rocky Mountain Power (RMP). The project will deploy 8 Rivers’ proprietary Allam-Fetvedt Cycle (AFC) power cycle technology with inherent carbon capture at an existing RMP brownfield power plant site in Wyoming.
The AFC is a breakthrough ultra-low-carbon technology that uses CO2 instead of steam to drive a turbine, while inherently eliminating air pollution and capturing the CO2 by burning fuel with pure oxygen rather than air. When deployed at RMP power plant sites through this collaboration, AFC will run on syngas derived from coal and is expected to inherently capture 95-99% of carbon emissions.
With regulatory and social pressure mounting on utilities, technology providers, and local governments to identify and deploy strategies to reduce power plant emissions, solutions like AFC have an opportunity to usher in a new era of low-carbon power. 8 Rivers and RMP first announced this project and collaboration in April 2024. Our two companies share a commitment to exploring innovative, pragmatic solutions for decarbonizing existing energy sources like coal and natural gas. Wyoming has a rich history in the energy industry and is home to many legacy fossil fuel generation assets.
Per the U.S. Energy Information Administration, coal-fired power plants produced ~71% of Wyoming’s total electricity net generation in 2023. As a viable, affordable, and scalable decarbonization solution, AFC-C will harness the full potential of Wyoming’s abundant coal resources while drastically reducing environmental impact, and introducing substantial economic, environmental, and social benefits to residents.
When deployed, AFC-C will significantly reduce pollutants like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, leading to better air quality and health outcomes for workers and entire communities. Abated coal power technologies will also help existing supply chains and communities that have become reliant on coal for job and economic growth to remain intact without compromising on the harmful effects associated with unabated coal emissions. By using Wyoming’s coal reserves in a more efficient and cleaner manner, our project will provide high paying job opportunities for residents and equip them with the skills needed to participate in the next generation of energy technology.
8 Rivers is deeply committed to the state of Wyoming and its people. As our team works with RMP to assess the technical and economic feasibility of deploying carbon capture at coal fired power plants, we’ll also prioritize building relationships with local regulators, policymakers, and community members to ensure everyone plays an active role in Wyoming’s energy future.
We believe AFC-C and our collaboration with RMP and local stakeholders will position Wyoming as a leader in national and global energy markets, attracting investments and fostering broader economic growth across the state.
Stay tuned for updates on this project and how the AFC can deliver clean, reliable power at an affordable cost on our LinkedIn page!