This project is supported by the Global CCS Institute

TransAlta announced the cancellation of this project on the 26th of April 2012, on the grounds that "the revenue from carbon sales and the price of emissions reductions [were] insufficient to allow the project to proceed at this time".

Further details are available here.

Project details

Location: Alberta, Canada

Proponent: TransAlta, Transport Canada, Enbridge, Capital Power

Website: www.projectpioneer.ca

Project Pioneer was intended to be among the world's largest, fully-integrated carbon capture and storage (CCS) systems. Built as a retrofit of TransAlta and Capital Power Corporations' Keephills 3 (K3) coal-based power plant, Pioneer would have captured one million tonnes per annum of carbon dioxide (CO₂) through post-combustion technology . The CO₂ was to be transported for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) in nearby oil fields as well as for permanent storage in deep saline formations.

Focus of support

The Global CCS Institute has provided AU$5 million in support of concept definition studies that cover all aspects of the CCS value chain for this project.

Reports and outcomes

Knowledge sharing reports and case studies cover a wide range of topics including: regulatory, project risk, socio-economic, public opinion, construction execution, commercial structuring, CCS integration, risk management, and risk assessment of storage and MMV technology issues.

TransAlta is committed to knowledge sharing, including participation in conferences, panels and workshops.

Photo taken in August, 2010