Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage
Latest news
Draft Environmental Guidelines for Carbon Dioxide Capture and Geological Storage 2008
The Environment Protection and Heritage Council (EPHC) and the Ministerial Council on Mineral and Petroleum Resources (MCMPR) Joint Officials Working Group (JOWG) has released Draft Environmental Guidelines for Carbon Dioxide Capture and Geological Storage for public comment.
Comments close 13 February 2009
Carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) is a technology aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels during industrial and energy-related processes. CCS involves the capture, transport and long-term storage of carbon dioxide, usually in geological reservoirs deep underground, that would otherwise be released to the atmosphere.
CCS, along with other actions such as improving energy efficiency, switching to less carbon intensive fuels, and making better use of renewable energy resources, will help Australia and the world reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.
Australia's role in developing CCS technologies
The Australian Government is leading the way in research and development of new technologies such as carbon dioxide capture and geological storage (also known as geosequestration), by:
- researching capture and geological storage technologies through the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and Geoscience Australia;
- funding Cooperative Research Centres that focus on capture and geological storage technologies such as the Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Technologies (www.co2crc.com.au ) and the Cooperative Research Centre for Coal in Sustainable Development (www.ccsd.biz );
- working with industry and state governments to develop appropriate regulatory frameworks, as well as monitoring and verifications standards;
- providing funding opportunities for low emissions technologies through the $500 million Low Emissions Technology Demonstration Fund and over $500 million through a range of renewable energy programmes;
- supporting international efforts on carbon dioxide capture and storage through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which are tasked to advance global understanding on the nature and impacts of climate change and to seek mitigating action; and;
- participating in international forums that examine low emissions technologies such as the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate and the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum
CCS in Australia
In January 2006, the Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Technologies (CO2CRC) announced the commencement of Australia's first carbon storage project in the Otway Basin of western Victoria. The $30 million pilot project will be conducted by the CO2CRC and involves injecting carbon dioxide into an underground depleted gas field. The Australian Government (through this Department) is providing a multi million dollar research grant to the CO2CRC to further explore the monitoring and verification of the injected stream. This will ultimately enhance Australia's capacity to monitor and verify geologically stored CO2 for resource and environmental objectives.
The IPCC Special Report on Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) collates scientific advice on climate change. Australia accepts the conclusions of the IPCC as the most authoritative climate change science available. In September 2005 the IPCC released a Special Report on Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage, summarising the current status of these technologies. The report was written by over 100 international scientists from more than 30 countries, and was reviewed by many experts and governments. The Australian Government was involved in the review process.
The report covers the sources of carbon dioxide (CO2), the technical specifics of capturing, transporting and storing CO2 in geological formations, the ocean, in minerals, or using the CO2 in industrial processes. The report also assesses the costs and potential of CCS, environmental impacts, risks and safety, implications for greenhouse gas inventories and accounting, public perception and legal issues.
The report provides a reference for the status of CCS technologies. The results highlighted in the report describe possible policy options, and will have long term relevance for government policy development.
- Key Findings from the IPCC Special Report
- The IPCC Special Report can be downloaded at www.ipcc.ch
Links
- Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum
www.cslforum.org - Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Technologies
www.co2crc.com.au - International Energy Agency (Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage)
www.co2captureandstorage.info
Publications
- Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage - Fact sheet
- Carbon Capture and Storage - Report to the Australian Greenhouse Office on Property Rights and Associated Liability Issues
- IPCC Special Report on Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage
EPHC news
Environment Protection and Heritage Council
The EPHC is an intergovernmental council of environment ministers.
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