Victoria leading in carbon capture and storage expertise
Download the PDF version of this document: Carbon Capture Factsheet
Several of the world’s most comprehensive carbon capture and storage research and demonstration projects are under way in Victoria.Carbon capture and storage (CCS) could enable the combustion of fossil fuels, such as in the generation of electricity or for industrial processes without significant emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
The technology may also be used to capture and store carbon dioxide emitted from a range of other industrial processes such as the manufacture of cement and some fertilisers, in purifying natural gas and in conversion of gas or coal to liquids.
To demonstrate the storage component, known as geosequestration, under Australian conditions, Australia’s Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Technologies (CO2CRC), one of the world’s leading collaborative CCS research organisations, is conducting a major carbon dioxide storage pilot project in Victoria’s Otway Basin.
It is the only project of its kind in Australia designed to test techniques for tracking how carbon dioxide will behave when injected under pressure, deep underground.
The CO2CRC Otway Project has already injected and stored 65,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide-rich gas underground, and includes a monitoring program hailed by international and national scientists as the most comprehensive of its type in the world.
With the success of the first year of the project, researchers are working towards more research at the site and a second injection well has been completed.
“With the combination of the existing research infrastructure, a world-class monitoring program and a naturally occurring source of carbon dioxide, the CO2CRC Otway Project has proved to be a very effective and cost-efficient geosequestration research platform,” said Dr Peter Cook, Chief Executive of CO2CRC.
The project is in the middle of dairy farm country in south west Victoria.
“Before we started on the project, we needed to demonstrate to the local community that geosequestration is a safe and viable technology. It is very important that we regularly communicate with the local community and stakeholders about the technology and the project’s progress. We think we have been able to reassure them that this is a safe technology with a great deal of potential for helping to deal with greenhouse gas emissions.”
CO2CRC has also commissioned two innovative carbon capture projects, which explore ways to reduce the costs of capturing carbon dioxide from industry and will ultimately assist with taking the technology further through the innovation cycle.
The CO2CRC Otway Project has already injected and stored 65,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide underground, and includes a monitoring program hailed by international and national scientists as the most comprehensive of its type in the world. |
“It is a crucial step in employing carbon capture at commercial scale.”
CO2CRC has received vital funding grants from the Victorian Government’s Energy Technology Innovation Strategy (ETIS) to support its capture projects.
“The ETIS grants have enabled us to employ additional researchers on the projects and build equipment required for the test work. This has helped to generate business for Victoria and enabled us to progress the larger-scale projects much quicker.”
Dr Peter Cook says that, in order for Australia and Victoria to be a world leader in carbon capture and storage, the country needs to increase its intellectual and scientific know-how in this area.
“The CO2CRC Otway Project and our two capture projects are prime examples of how major research projects can lead to Victoria and Australia expanding global knowledge in this field and becoming a world-renowned authority on CCS technology.”
Dr Cook also adds that assistance from the Victorian Government has been vital in enabling CO2CRC to get the projects up and running. The interagency cooperation, support and commitment has been exemplary. Government assistance includes obtaining the funding to liaise with other departments and facilitating the approvals process.
“The Victorian Government has been extraordinarily supportive of the CO2CRC projects. This extends right through government from the public service to ministers, and throughout government departments. Without that assistance, we would never have got as far as we have today,” Dr Cook said.
For further information or assistance, contact
Energy Technology InnovationDepartment of Primary Industries
1 Spring Street (GPO Box 4440)
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 3001
Telephone +61 3 9658 4193
Facsimile +61 3 9658 4916
Email dpi.etis@dpi.vic.gov.au
Website www.dpi.vic.gov.au/etis
ISBN 978-1-74264-454-7 (print)
ISBN 978-1-74264-455-4 (online)
