DOE executes first TRIG licensing deal for coal gasification commercialization

Highlights

DOE's Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office granted the first nonexclusive license for TRIG coal gasification technology to Latitude Energy Services, limited to power applications.
Licensees access extensive engineering and operational data from the Kemper County TRIG project, including over 20,000 historical logs, to support commercial deployment.
DOE asserts TRIG commercialization could enhance U.S. coal industry opportunities, support supply chains, create high-skilled jobs, and position technology for international expansion.

License scope and commercialization pathway

As reported by the Department of Energy, its Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office has executed a first-ever nonexclusive license with Latitude Energy Services for Transport Integrated Gasification, or TRIG, technology. The license is limited to the power field of use, while Latitude separately holds rights to TRIG in the industrial field of use.

DOE says the agreement marks a step in transferring the advanced coal gasification system from federal development into the market. The department presents the move as opening additional commercial deployment opportunities for the U.S. coal industry.

TRIG is a coal gasification system jointly developed by DOE and industry partners. It is designed for low-rank, high-moisture coals and converts those resources into fuel gas at higher efficiency, targeting coal types that have traditionally been harder to use.

Operational data and industry impact

Department officials say companies adopting TRIG can use years of engineering, testing and operating information gathered through DOE’s work on the Kemper County, Mississippi integrated gasification combined cycle project. That package includes plant designs, construction records, operational lessons and more than 20,000 historical data logs intended to support commercial development decisions.

DOE Acting Assistant Secretary for the Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office Curt Coccodrilli says the licensing step helps move DOE-developed technology and technical data from the laboratory into industry hands. The department says broader access to TRIG could support domestic supply chains, create high-skilled jobs and position U.S. energy technology for international markets.

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