A collaboration agreement was signed today at the Greenhouse Gas Technology Conference held in Melbourne by two of the world’s foremost knowledge and research agencies in industrial applications designed to combat climate change.
Brought together by their shared vision – to deploy an effective and ready-to-go technology that will make a significant impact to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions – the IEA Greenhouse Gas R&D Programme (IEAGHG) and the International CCS Knowledge Centre (Knowledge Centre) have agreed to collaborate in the promotion and acceleration of large-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS).
While there are many ways in which GHGs can be reduced, such as adding renewables into the energy portfolio or increasing efficiency of power plants, these steps alone will not achieve the required reductions in CO2 emissions.
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Widespread use of CCS can be achieved without the need for rapid change in the energy supply infrastructure. This will allow countries to meaningfully aid in decarbonising electrical grids as well as transition to carbon-free energy systems in the future.
The agreement between IEAGHG and the Knowledge Centre signifies an intention to collaborate and contribute their respective expertise and resources to reduce global GHG emissions through further research, understanding and specifically see the deployment of large-scale CCS projects throughout the world. Together the agencies will provide peer review of publications and ensure accurate, relevant and current knowledge about CCS is freely available.
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International CCS Kowledge Centre President and CEO Mike Monea says the Knowledge Centre is excited by the partnership.
“[The partnership] takes many working toward a common goal,” Monea says. “Globally we need a definitive shift in effort on climate change action. CCS is needed now as a means for countries and their citizens to manage current and future GHG emissions.”
About the IEA Greenhouse Gas R&D Programme (IEAGHG)
Established in 1991 under the auspices of the International Energy Agency as a technology collaboration program, IEAGHG is a not-for-profit international collaborative venture that studies and evaluates technologies that can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions derived from the use of fossil fuels. The main technology of focus is Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage. As a member-based organisation, IEAGHG’s work is subject to peer review ensuring impartiality and that they remain an unbiased source which provides definitive information on the role that technology can make in reducing GHGs. IEAGHG is the lead organiser of the GHGT series of conferences, which are the main international conferences on CCS.
About the International CCS Knowledge Centre (Knowledge Centre)
Operating since 2016 under the direction of an independent board, Knowledge Centre was established by BHP and SaskPower with a mandate to advance the global understanding and deployment of large-scale CCS to reduce global GHG emissions. The Knowledge Centre provides the know-how to implement large-scale projects as well as CCS optimisation through the base learnings from both the fully-integrated Boundary Dam 3 CCS Facility and the comprehensive second-generation study, known as the Shand Study.