Google to power Wyoming data center with 702 MW gas project, capture most emissions

Google plans to develop a 702-megawatt (MW) natural gas fuel-cell project with carbon capture and storage (CCS) to support its first data center in Wyoming, as part of a long-term $17 billion investment in the state. The project, announced in partnership with American Electric Power (AEP), Tallgrass Energy, Black Hills Energy and Related Digital, is expected to become the largest planned commercial-scale fuel-cell development of its kind. The fuel cells will be manufactured in the US by Bloom Energy and will convert natural gas into electricity through an electrochemical process. Google said the development will help reduce emissions and water use associated with powering its data infrastructure. Fuel cells pair with CCS The project will use CCS technology to capture a large majority of its carbon emissions and transport the captured carbon dioxide for permanent geological storage at Tallgrass Energy’s nearby Eastern Wyoming Sequestration Hub. The hub is being developed to support commercial-scale carbon dioxide storage in the state. Google said the Wyoming project builds on its first US carbon capture and storage agreement, announced last year, and brings its total contracted CCS capacity to nearly 1 gigawatt. The company is also sourcing electricity from natural gas generators operated by Tallgrass Energy and Black Hills Energy. Separately, it is conducting a technical front-end engineering and design study to assess the possibility of fitting Tallgrass’s combined-cycle gas turbines with CCS technology. These arrangements form part of Google’s broader effort to secure power for its expanding data center infrastructure while reducing the carbon emissions associated with natural gas generation. However, the fuel-cell development will still use natural gas, and the carbon capture system is designed to capture a large majority of emissions rather than eliminate them entirely. Wyoming investment extends beyond Google said the $17 billion investment is intended to deliver long-term economic benefits to Laramie County and the wider state. The company expects the project to generate hundreds of millions of dollars in local property taxes for the county and School District 1. Its community investment plans will also support K-12 education, workforce development, STEM programs and skilled-trades training. Following a community meeting attended by more than 200 Laramie County residents, Google and its partners are establishing a Community Council to address concerns about the effects of data center expansion on Cheyenne and surrounding communities. Water use is another consideration for the project. Google said the Wyoming facility will use air cooling to reduce pressure on local water resources, rather than relying on water-intensive cooling systems. The announcement comes as technology companies expand data center capacity to support growing computing and digital infrastructure requirements. Securing reliable electricity has become a major challenge for these developments, prompting companies to explore new generation projects and partnerships with energy providers. Google said it will pay for all the electricity its data centers consume and cover infrastructure requirements directly driven by its growth. Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.With over a decade-long career in journalism, Neetika Walter has worked with The Economic Times, ANI, and Hindustan Times, covering politics, business, technology, and the clean energy sector. Passionate about contemporary culture, books, poetry, and storytelling, she brings depth and insight to her writing. When she isn’t chasing stories, she’s likely lost in a book or enjoying the company of her dogs.