Tallgrass Energy LP’s study into the design of a commercial-scale carbon capture unit received significant funding this week from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory, part of a nationwide effort to advance next-generation clean hydrogen technologies.
The DOE award will fund Leawood-based Tallgrass’ study of carbon dioxide capture associated with producing hydrogen from natural gas using an autothermal reforming facility, according to a release. In the coming months, Tallgrass will work with DOE officials to finalize the scope of the study, valued at $1.875 million.
The funding also is part of DOE’s Energy Earthshots Initiative, aiming to accelerate breakthroughs of more abundant, affordable and reliable clean energy solutions within the decade, in collaboration with the Biden administration's goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
“Tallgrass is committed to playing a leadership role in advancing technologies that fully leverage resources such as hydrogen to deliver energy to people in a way that begins to decarbonize our world,” Tallgrass CEO William Moler said in the release. “Tallgrass has made significant investments in building the technical and organizational expertise to become a global leader in emerging energy technologies like hydrogen and carbon sequestration. In time, these technologies will grow our company and make the global energy portfolio cleaner.”
Tallgrass will partner with the DOE, the University of Wyoming, Technip Energies, BASF Corp. and Haldor Topsoe for the study.
Tallgrass will evaluate the development of an autothermal reforming plant in Wyoming for hydrogen production and carbon capture and storage on a commercial scale, supporting DOE’s goal of producing blue hydrogen.
DOE activities in hydrogen total around $400 million of the fiscal year 2022 budget request. Pending those appropriations, the DOE anticipates the funding to help advance progress toward meeting its Hydrogen Shot goals.
