Research in the EU

The EU is undertaking a number of research activities looking at CCS technology. This involves the establishment by DG Research of a technology platform on Zero Emission Fossil Fuel Power Stations and research on the regulatory issues associated with the technology.

ZEFFPP technology platform
The EU has established a Zero Emissions Fossil Fuel Power Plant Technology Platform to undertake an assessment of the long-term research objectives of zero emission technologies.

Zero emissions basically means – building more efficient power stations combined with capturing CO2 and storing it (CCS). Neither of these processes will achieve zero emissions on its own and it is unclear whether or not zero emissions is even achievable.

The objective of the platform is to drastically reduce the environmental impact of fossil fuel use aiming at highly efficient power generation plants with near zero emissions, based on CO2 capture and storage technologies.

NGOs believe that research of ZEFFPP technology should not be prioritised above renewable technology and energy efficiency. However, we believe the following issues with regard to CCS should be researched:
• currently largely unexplored environmental consequences including those associated with extending fossil fuel extraction;
• capacity for safe, long-term underground storage of carbon;
• questions of liability – who is responsible and for how long?
• characteristics of the currently much less well understood saline formations, and;
• the risks to public safety.

The EU Research and Development Framework Programmes
The Framework Programs are the EU’s main instrument for funding scientific research and technological development a number of CCS projects have been funded. CCS is an activity under the FP7 and the aim for research is to: “drastically reduce the environmental impact of fossil fuel use aiming at highly efficient power generation plants with near zero emissions, based on CO2 capture and storage technologies”.

International Research Activities
Internationally, there are a number of projects taking place in a variety of fields. Most ongoing industry efforts are being made where the double dividend of reducing carbon and making a profit can be reaped, such as in using CO2 to enhance extraction of gas and oil, or methane recovery from unminable coalbeds. In the US alone, enhanced oil recovery is used at 75 sites. However, at present, not all of these use CO2, and in fact very few use CO2 that is produced as a by-product of some other industrial activity (and could, therefore, claimed to be an emission reduction). Research activities in this field are sponsored by both companies and governments, and carried out by university departments, independent scientific institutions or industry research bodies.

There are a number of model projects for the various options for geological storage. An example is that of Statoil in the Sleipner Field, where CO2 is pumped into a saline acquifer. Other research focuses on necessary background research, like the identification of potential sites for geological storage, technology for separation (different kinds of membranes etc), possibilities of storing liquid CO2 at the sea, environmental impacts and permanence issues.

Planned ocean storage research have failed to be implemented such as “The Ocean Sequestration Field Experiment” in Hawaii. This was subsequently moved to Norwegian waters in 2002, but did not get permission there either. (See: CAN-Europe's position on ocean sequestration),

International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
The IPCC has released a Special Report on CO2 Capture and Storage in September 2005 which demonstrates a number of key issues and gaps in knowledge with regard to the technology. (IPCC, 2005, IPCC Special Report on Carbon dioxide Capture and Storage: Summary for Policymakers)

The report was commissioned to provide an assessment of the new and emerging technologies for capturing CO2, specifically the key environmental risks, legal and regulatory issues and costs associated with its use and storage. The report plays an important role in providing policy makers with the scientific understanding of the technical, environmental and economic options of this technology.

The key conclusions from the report include:
• The actual use of CCS, as for other mitigation options, is likely to be lower than the economic potential due to factors such as environmental impacts, risks of leakage and the lack of a clear legal framework or public acceptance.
• The widespread application on CCS will depend on technical maturity, costs, overall potential, diffusion and transfer of technologies to developing countries.
• If continuous leakage occurs it could, at least in part, offset the benefits of CCS for mitigating climate change.
• Sustained high concentrations of CO2 would cause mortality of ocean organisms.
• Few countries have specifically developed legal or regulatory frameworks for long-term CO2 storage.
• Long-term liability issues associated with leakage of CO2 to the atmosphere and local environmental impacts are generally unresolved.
• There are gaps in knowledge regarding some aspects of CCS.

NGO Research - Climate Technologies Assessment Project (CTAP)
CAN Europe has undertaken extensive research on carbon abatement technologies such as CCS and including Hydrogen and fuel cells. More information can be found here