DOE awards UND’s EERC $15 million to continue carbon storage research

BY LISA GIBSON

The Energy & Environmental Research Center at the University of North Dakota is one of only two organizations nationally selected to run a second phase of a project to study the benefits of active reservoir management (ARM) in carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects. And the center will get more than $15 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to conduct that research.

EERC, in Grand Forks, N.D., was one of five organizations originally selected from a national pool to conduct phase one of the ARM research. Phase one consisted of feasibility studies and project designs for ARM techniques, says John Hamling, principal engineer at EERC. Phase two funding was awarded to only two organizations of those five, based on their phase one work. “It was competitive,” Hamling says. “We had a great site and a great team.”

ARM is a concept gaining more attention for its potential to improve CCS. Essentially, it produces brine, or saltwater, from a geological horizon into which carbon dioxide is being injected. In theoretical studies using computer modeling and software, ARM has shown it has the potential to better manage formation pressure, help control the footprint of the injected fluids and help improve the injection process, Hamling says.

The ARM concept occurs in every enhanced oil recovery project as it’s being implemented, Hamling says. “However, the difference is for enhanced oil recovery, oil is being produced and subsequently being sold and transported away from the site.” For CCS applications, the produced fluid is not oil, but high-salinity water. Finding ways to treat and move that brine means it could be used in beneficial applications, he says. “You’re able to get rid of that produced fluid and send it to essentially a market for CO2 storage applications.”

The EERC test bed for this research will evaluate next-generation brine treatment, testing low-quality brines to help researchers learn the fundamental knowledge of the process they’ll need to develop a useful technology for widespread implementation. “So it’s looking at these next-generation tech- nologies that can, ultimately, hopefully, come to market and provide some value in treating low-quality brines,” Hamling says .

Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., says in a statement: “To find a viable path forward for coal, we must continue to develop new and exciting technologies that will produce better uses for carbon dioxide. As a strong supporter of finding new uses for the carbon captured through energy production and generation, we can maintain a true all-of-the-above energy strategy through advances in technology and environmental engineering that will allow the reduction of emissions in an environmentally responsible manner. [The] federal funding will assist the EERC at UND in furthering these technologies and techniques — and demonstrates once again that North Dakota and the EERC are at the forefront of innovation to meet our current and future energy needs while conserving our natural resources.”

Phase two is expected to last about four years, starting with installation of infrastructure such as wells and brine treatment and handling equipment. Active reservoir research and management testing as well as brine treatment technology demonstration will follow, Hamling says. The project has also been given about $4 million in non-DOE funding, for a grand total of almost $20 million, according to EERC.

“This is an exciting project, as it has the potential to not only help with economically reducing the carbon intensity of fossil fuels, but could also provide produced water treatment options that generate product streams that can be brought to market,” Hamling says. “This project is truly a winwin all around that will help North Dakota energy to stay competitive in an evolving national and global market. Our success is a testament to the expertise, strong partnerships, and work ethic that is part of our culture.” PB

Lisa Gibson Editor, Prairie Business 701.787.6753 lgibson@prairiebusinessmagazine.com

Carla Hixson has been named dean of current and emerging technologies, a new role at Bismarck State College in Bismarck, N.D. The role was created to accommodate growth and emerging opportunities in key educational areas. Hixson will oversee BSC’s Transportation & Construction, Computers, Medical Arts & Emergency Services and Career and Technology program areas. She also will be responsible for BSC business outreach activities and career and technical education accreditation. Since 2007, Hixson has been the associate vice president for continuing education, training and innovation (CETI) at BSC. Before that, Hixson led several startup programs for the college, including TrainND and the National Energy Center. Hixson earned a bachelor’s degree from Minnesota State University Moorhead and a master’s degree from the University of Mary in Bismarck.

With Hixson’s move, Sara Vollmer has been promoted to director of CETI. She will be responsible for the college’s innovation initiatives, continuing education, TrainND Southwest, the college’s Occupational Safety and Health Consultation program and humanities programming. Vollmer has been with BSC for 20 years, most recently as training manager in CETI. She holds a bachelor’s degree from North Dakota State University in Fargo and a master’s degree in higher education administration from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion.

Jay Meier has been promoted to associate dean of student affairs, a new position at BSC. In his new role, he will oversee student conduct, developing processes and policies that pertain to student rights, responsibilities and safety. Additionally, he will oversee the student judicial process, serve in a BSC Title IX investigator role and manage the counseling center, accessibility services and student support. Meier has been with BSC since 1999, when he was hired as career services coordinator. He has been the director of the Mystic Advising and Counseling Center since 2005. He has a master’s in education, with emphasis in guidance and counseling, from Northern State University in Aberdeen, S.D., and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks.

Jay Lies has been named business banking manager and market president for Wells Fargo in Fargo, N.D., Moorhead, Minn., and Grand Forks., N.D. In his new role, Lies leads the business banking team and works with business customers to help meet their deposit, cash management and credit needs.

Lies began his Wells Fargo career in 2003 as a credit manager for Wells Fargo Financial in Jamestown, N.D., and was promoted to branch manager in 2004. In 2006, he became a Wells Fargo store manager in Wahpeton, N.D. He joined the business banking team in 2008, working in Bismarck, N.D., and Fargo, most recently as principal business relationship manager.

A Wahpeton native, Lies has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Jamestown.

FMWF Chamber hires YEA! program coordinator

The Chamber of Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo has hired Katie Ralston as the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) program coordinator. Ralston will be responsible for recruiting students and volunteers and overseeing the program.

Ralston has a bachelor’s degree in communication from Minnesota State University Moorhead and recently completed her master’s in communication at North Dakota State University in Fargo. Most recently, she was a graduate teaching assistant in Fundamentals of Public Speaking and Intercultural Communication courses at NDSU.

Summit Brewing names chief sales officer

Summit Brewing Co., headquartered in St. Paul has named Mike Bamonti its new chief sales officer. As a member of Summit's executive team, Bamonti will be responsible for developing strategic sales plans that promote sales growth, territory strength, customer satisfaction, brand loyalty and overall market share.

A 30-year industry veteran, Bamonti has worked at the distributor level in the Chicago, St. Louis and Twin Cities markets. He's spent the past 12 years leading J.J. Taylor Minnesota distributing company as president and general manager. Previously, Bamonti worked for seven years as J.J. Taylor's vice president of sales. He has been a board member and officer for both the Minnesota Beer Wholesalers Association and the National Beer Wholesalers Association. Bamonti also serves on the board for Minnesota Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway's Lead the Way Foundation.