Geological Carbon Storage (GCS)

What is CCS/GCS?

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is the process of capturing carbon dioxide and injecting it into permanent storage in underground geological structures, such as depleted oil and gas reservoirs or deep saline aquifers in an effort to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Geological Carbon Storage (GCS) – also referred to as geosequestration - is the ‘storage’ element of CCS. The Victorian Government is planning ways to reduce Victoria’s carbon pollution levels. Victoria believes there is no single answer to solve climate change, but rather a suite of solutions including: Growing Victoria’s renewable energy sector Investing in innovation to drive new renewable and clean coal technologies Improving the energy efficiency of homes, workplaces and industry. Additional general information about Victoria’s energy future and CCS is available here.

GCS in Victoria

Victoria’s coal-fired power stations produce over 60 million tonnes of greenhouse gases annually, accounting for around 50 per cent of the State’s greenhouse gas emissions. The magnitude of Victoria’s brown coal resource and the importance of coal mining and coal fired power in creating employment make it essential that the Government thoroughly investigate potential means to maintain the viability of coal.

Victoria’s Gippsland and Otway Basins have been identified by several national research organisations as has having some of the greatest potential for GCS in Australia. Many of the State’s brown coal-fired power stations are already located in the Latrobe Valley in close proximity to these basins, making this area very attractive to GCS explorers and well-placed to become Australia’s leading CCS hub.

Victoria’s Greenhouse Gas Geological Sequestration Act 2008 (PDF 1.27MB) (GGGSA) (external link), which will come into effect no later than 1 January 2010, will facilitate GCS exploration and development while protecting communities, public health and the environment.

Victoria’s 2009 onshore and offshore GCS exploration tender will facilitate exploration of Victoria’s carbon storage potential and pave the way for a CCS industry.

Further information about Geoscience Victoria’s VicGCS program is available here.