Victorian Geological Carbon Storage (VicGCS)
Unlocking Victoria's CO2 storage potential
The Victorian Geological Carbon Storage (VicGCS) Initiative researched the regional carbon dioxide (CO2) storage capacity of the Gippsland Basin. This four-year, $5.2 million project was delivered by the Earth Resources Development Division of the Department of Primary Industries.
Partnerships with industry, government and the research community were an important feature of how the project was delivered.
The initiative commenced in July 2008 and was completed in June 2012. For an overview of the VicGCS Initiative, download the reports from the Online Store.
What is geological carbon storage?
Geological carbon storage (GCS) is the process of injecting CO2 that has been captured from coal and gas fired power stations into underground geological structures, such as depleted oil and gas reservoirs or deep saline (salty water) aquifers. CO2 is injected at depths greater than 800m as a high pressure, relatively dense fluid.
GCS offers the potential to substantially reduce the amount of CO2 currently released into the atmosphere from the use of fossil fuels, such as coal and natural gas by storing it permanently underground. In order to continue using the Latrobe Valley’s vast brown coal resources and secure Victoria’s energy future, it is critical that a commercial GCS industry is established. This is vital to the social, economic and environmental future of Victoria.
Contacts
Geological Survey of VictoriaDepartment of Primary Industries
GPO Box 4440
Melbourne Victoria 3001
Australia
Phone: 136 186
