The objective of the American Electric Power (AEP) Mountaineer project (DOE-NETL Cooperative Agreement DE-AC26-98FT40418) was to assess the potential for geologic storage of CO2 in the Ohio River Valley and to determine the feasibility of on-site capture and CO2 storage at a coal-fired power plant. An extensive program of drilling, sampling, and testing a deep well combined with a seismic survey was used to characterize the local and regional geologic features at AEP’s 1300-megawatt Mountaineer Power Plant outside of New Haven, West Virginia.
Feasibility and design assessment activities included an assessment of the CO2 source options; development of the injection and monitoring system design; preparation of regulatory permits; and continued stakeholder outreach. The onsite injection wells are among a few wells to reach the post-injection site care stage among carbon storage projects, which involves post-injection monitoring, modeling, and reporting needed to demonstrate secure and permanent storage. Injection and storage of CO2 into deep rock formations represents a feasible option to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from coal-burning power plants concentrated along the Ohio River Valley area.
