The University of Wyoming and General Electric Co. have announced their agreement to build a coal research plant by 2012.
Under the agreement, GE and the university will develop the High Plains Gasification Advanced Technology Center to accelerate the commercial use of cleaner coal technology in the USA.
The research plant will study ways of turning Wyoming coal into a synthetic natural gas as well as developing clean coal technologies.
Coal provides more than 50% of the USA's current electricity generation and it plays an important role in meeting the nation's energy needs. Wyoming is the leading coal producer in the USA, producing about 40% of the coal used in the US to generate electricity.
The new center will include a small-scale gasification system that will enable researchers from GE and the university to develop advanced gasification solutions for Powder River Basin and other Wyoming coals.
The research is expected to expand the range of coals that can be used with GE's integrated gasification combined-cycle (IGCC) technology for power plants.
The facility is expected to be operational by 2012.
