State May Test Clean-Lignite / CO2 Power Generation; Texas Already Testing -- November 18, 2015

The Bismarck Tribune is reporting:

 State researchers and regional energy companies want to take a promising carbon dioxide capturing technology to the lab.

The Allam Cycle, invented by 8 Rivers, uses pressurized carbon dioxide rather than steam to generate power. It is said to be more efficient, less expensive, and "clearner." 

It is already being tested on a $140 million, 50-megawatt natural gas-fired power plant in La Porte, Texas. 

Now there's an opportunity for North Dakota to test this technology using lignite.

The Lignite Research Council voted unanimously to recommend state funding of the research project Tuesday. It will go on to the Industrial Commission for final approval.

The partners in this test (dollar amounts rounded):

• Grand Forks-based Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC), funding from DOE: $1 million
• Basin Electric Power Cooperative: %150,000
• 8 Rivers (HQ in Durham, North Carolina), funding from DOE $500,000
• ALLETE with subsidiaries BNI Coal and Minnesota Power: $150,000
• request for state funding: $1.5 million

This group plans to evaluate how the fuel difference of gasified lignite might affect the Allam Cycle technology.