GILLETTE, Wyo. — University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources and Low Emission Technology Australia will collaborate to advance energy technology, including through the Integrated Test Center near Gillette, the school announced Aug. 28.
SER Executive Director Holly Krutka and Low Emission Technology Australia signed a memorandum of understanding last week regarding joint research and programs for carbon capture, utilization and sequestration projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and consume natural resources like Wyoming coal, according to a news release. The institutions will share costs and pursue funding through grant applications. Shared interests include coal-to-products, low-emissions coal electricity generation, low-emissions steel production sequestration, carbon capture, hydrogen and ammonia production from coal.
“I am very pleased to partner with LETA to invest in and advance technologies that are beneficial to both the state of Wyoming and Australia,” Krutka said. “The missions of LETA and SER significantly align, and sharing lessons learned and expertise can help accelerate technology development, demonstration and deployment. This cooperative agreement highlights the advantages of building alliances with academic and research partners around the world.”
The two institutions’ projects at Gillette’s Integrated Test Center, which gives researchers a space to test carbon capture and use technologies with coal-based flue gas from Basin Electric Power Cooperative’s Dry Fork Station, will refine business models and project structures that can be replicated in Australia, the release said.
Low Emission Technology Australia, an investor that the Australian mining industry supports, works with industry, government and research institutions to develop and deploy solutions that reduce and remove greenhouse gas emissions from industrial processes like mining, power generation and future energy sources such as low-carbon hydrogen. Low Emission Technology Australia recently toured the ITC.
“Collaborative efforts in developing low-emission technologies between Wyoming and Australia, underpinned by their aligned interests and shared challenges, exemplify how international cooperation can be a catalyst for the practical demonstration of our goal to drive down the cost of the technologies that will support jobs, lower energy costs and reduce emissions,” Low Emission Technology Australia CEO Mark McCallum said.
The UW Global Engagement Office helped facilitate the memorandum of understanding, which is scheduled to last for three years with the option to extend it upon mutual agreement, the release said.
UW Vice Provost for Global Engagement Isadora Helfgott said she’s thrilled SER made the partnership because it shows the university’s commitment to international collaboration and recognizes shared priorities and complementary areas of expertise.
“It will facilitate work with cutting-edge researchers that expands the scope and impact of our research,” Helfgott said. “Wyoming and Australia have so much in common, and I’m eager to see both the fruits of this collaboration and other opportunities it might open up for engagement with additional research partners and universities.”
