In The News

Hoeven helps secure more than $38 million award to support implementation of CCUS at Coal Creek Station

Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, announced that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded more than $38 million to the University of North Dakota’s (UND) Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC).


Burgum discusses Grand Forks projects funded in legislative session; total is more than $100 million

Over the biennium, the Energy and Environmental Research Center in Grand Forks, the state energy research center, will get $7.5 million for energy research and $1.5 million for rare earth mineral studies.


Security concerns to drive North Dakota tech mineral boom

With some of the highest concentrations of rare earth and critical mineral elements in the U.S., [North Dakota] is in prime position to supply tech minerals crucial to building everything from electric vehicles to semiconductors to jets.


Recycling Renewables: Giving New Life to Wind, Solar Energy Parts

Josh Strege, the EERC’s Assistant Director of Energy Systems, has been leading research into this area, and said these blades are made up of a lot of different materials. “Our focus,” he said, “has largely been on, ‘Is there a way we can separate material A from material B?”


What We Know ChatGPT Can Do for the Petroleum Industry, So Far

Researchers with the Energy & Environmental Research Center highlight the key use cases ChatGPT holds today for petrotechnicals. ChatGPT, a technology created by OpenAI, is a noteworthy illustration of the revolutionary capabilities of such technologies in the oil and gas domain.


CEQ Announces Members of Task Forces to Inform Responsible Development and Deployment of CCUS

The White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) announced members of two new task forces that will provide input to inform the responsible development of CCUS. EERC’s Kevin Connors accepted as member of task force.


North Dakota Wants to Lead the Nation in Rare Earth Production

But first, researchers need to figure out a good, consistent way to extract the minerals used in electronic devices and develop a supply chain that supports the operation. That’s going to take time and money.


North Dakota’s Future Is in Coal, but Not for the Usual Reason

John Kay is an engineer at the EERC. With funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Kay and his team are evaluating the potential of a viable domestic supply of the rare earth elements and critical minerals found in western North Dakota.


EERC is ‘cracking the code’ on energy research

Known mostly by its initials — EERC — the research hub sits on the campus of the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks and has been making waves in the energy sector for decades.


EERC’s Director for EHS named NDSC’s 2022 Outstanding Safety Professional

The North Dakota Safety Council (NDSC) names their 2022 Duane Kuehn Outstanding Safety Professional. Christin Fine is this year’s winner. The award was presented during the closing session of the 50th Annual Safety and Health Conference.


Hoeven Announces $1.4 Million Award to EERC for New CCUS Monitoring Project at Great Plains Synfuels Plant

Senator John Hoeven announced that he has secured a $1.4 million award to the EERC for a new carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) monitoring project at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant that is key to the commercially-viable implementation of CCUS technology.


Carbon Capture – Winter Ag and Construction Expo 2023

EERC’s Director of Advanced Energy Systems Initiatives, Jason Laumb, and Tom Oakland with the North Dakota Department of Commerce discuss how carbon capture will affect North Dakota agriculture. Moderated by Mick Kjar of the Ag Central Radio Network.


Produced Water Recycling Approach Attracts International Attention

NETL-funded research on an approach to recycle hydraulic fracturing water using natural filtration and biogenic activity in specific layers of rock is attracting international attention with a “highly commended” recognition in a global competition sponsored by an acclaimed engineering organization.


Newly announced Energy and Economic Coordination Office to streamline and generate economic advancements within the state’s energy industry

The North Dakota Department of Commerce announced the creation of the North Dakota Energy and Economic Coordination Office (EECO). The EECO will serve as a unified avenue for industry experts to effectively coordinate with North Dakota energy entities to advance the state’s energy strategy by supporting North Dakota’s full energy portfolio.


EERC team runner-up for 2022 iChemE Global Awards

National Energy Technology Laboratory, Energy and Environmental Research Center (EERC), North Dakota Industrial Commission Oil and Gas Research Program (NDIC OGRP) and Nuverra Environmental Solutions are runner-up in Oil and Gas Division for USA – Produced Water Management Through GHCR  project.


CMG Expands Focus to Deliver Integrated Energy Transition Solutions

Computer Modeling Group Ltd. (CMG) is a global leader in simulation technology for the energy industry. “CMG’s software gives us the confidence to predict reservoir behavior and adjust those predictions based on reservoir surveillance techniques for managing large-scale and long time-horizon carbon storage projects,” says Charles Gorecki.


EERC studying salt caverns for storage of hydrogen, liquid natural gas and other products

North Dakota’s Energy and Environmental Research Center is researching the idea of creating “salt caverns” for storing products such as natural gas and hydrogen which should be much less expensive than having miles and miles of above-ground storage tanks.


Salt cavern study receives more funding from state

An energy study to determine whether salt caverns could be used in North Dakota to store gas and liquids is getting more state money. The money is going to the University of North Dakota’s Energy and Environmental Research Center, which is conducting the study.


Ethanol Plant CCS: Sequestration Sensors

With CCS Expanding rapidly, there is an accompanying need for technology to monitor the CO2 underground. A North Dakota ethanol producer, environmental researcher, and a geophysicist explain how it’s done.


AVP of Strategic Partnerships Talks Energy with Former Bismarck Mayor

Brian Kalk recently spoke to Mike Seminary, former Bismarck Mayor/KLJ engineer, on Mike’s new podcast. They spoke about all things energy in North Dakota, including the wonderful work the EERC has been doing to develop new technologies and practical solutions to critical energy challenges. Follow the link to listen to the podcast.


North Dakota Industrial Commission approves $15M for energy projects

The new grants include $10 million for engineering and design work on the “Liberty H2 Hub” project, an effort led by the University of North Dakota’s Energy and Environmental Research Center to develop large-scale facilities for low-carbon hydrogen development. 


Higher Ed committee approves UND’s $86.5M fundraising request for College of Engineering renovations

UND also petitioned the committee for an increase in the authorization limit for lease revenue bonds. The bonds are used to finance improvements for the electrical distribution network at UND’s Energy and Environmental Research Center, as well as construction of a new advanced materials processing center.


NETL Funded Project Among Finalists in 2022 ICHEME Global Awards

The EERC’s Produced Water Management Through Geologic Homogenization, Conditioning and Reuse (GHCR) project is a finalist in the Oil and Gas category of the 2022 Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) Global Awards.


North Dakota snags two of the early grants from bipartisan infrastructure bill’s hydrogen funding

Both of the $1.6 million grants North Dakota snagged are focused around producing hydrogen from biomass. They were awarded to University of North Dakota and the North Dakota Energy and Environmental Research Center…


Burgum, Sanford recognize team members with 2022 Governor’s Awards for Excellence in Public Service

Gov. Doug Burgum and Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford today announced the 2022 Governor’s Awards for Excellence in Public Service, recognizing team members for making a positive difference in the lives of North Dakota citizens through their dedicated work in state government.


EERC on Prairie Business 50 Best Places to Work for 2022.

In all, Prairie Business received nearly 1,700 nominations. “We are excited to see so many participants in this year’s contest,” said Prairie Business Editor Andrew Weeks. “It is good to see the many companies who have been here before, but also to see some new names on the list. This goes to show that there definitely are some great companies in our region.”


Solutions for Carbon Capture and Help for U.S. Farmers

A groundbreaking class of hybrid solvents developed by NETL researchers to capture greenhouse gas from fuel streams and generate clean hydrogen from fossil energy resources could also bolster supply chains of key raw materials needed to address a crisis that is currently facing America’s farmers.


Research as a Team Sport

Ed Steadman, EERC vice president for research, recalled traveling with Mann to power plants in western North Dakota. “Mike was always a great engineer and a consummate professional,” Steadman remembered. “He was the guy behind the scenes you needed to make everything work. He was that quiet, stoic, competent person who was good to work with.”


Sen. Cramer Introduces EERC’s John Harju at EPW Hearing on CCUS

In his remarks, Senator Cramer highlighted Mr. Harju and EERC’s work on carbon capture, utilization, and storage, ongoing innovative research in energy production, as well as his leadership in North Dakota.


North Dakota facing energy opportunities and challenges

North Dakota is heading for an oil production bottleneck unless it either finds uses for the natural gas it produces or devises ways to transport the gas to larger markets, according to speakers at the sixth annual Energizing North Dakota’s Future conference.