Insights and Commentaries
Australian CCS Research Conference, a great success!
17th June 2017
Topic(s): Carbon capture, use and storage (CCUS)
The very first Australian CCS Research Conference was a resounding success. The event brought together leading Australian and international researchers after a long hiatus to discuss the latest developments in CCS research.
The conference was hosted by the Global CCS Institute and The Peter Cook Centre for CCS Research at the University of Melbourne and gathered over 100 delegates.
The event highlighted how researchers are now increasingly focussing on the deployment of CCS projects. This clear change in focus was reflected by the presentations and posters at the conference.
The findings presented by the researchers addressed some of the greatest challenges for Australian CCS and its solutions.
Three themes were addressed by the researchers speaking on storage:
- Increasing the resolution for monitoring tools for storage sites.
- Appling monitoring technologies to commercial scale projects.
- Understanding the evolution of the reservoir after injection.
In capture, the conference gathered experts presenting on various areas of carbon capture technology:
- New materials have been developed, including novel adsorbents based on Metal Organic Framework, brown coal, silica, and others; New solvents design and development, and testing; new membranes.
- Bio-CCS, as a negative emission technology
- Capture process continues to be improved.
- Cost reductions are being realized at various levels.
The final plenary sparked the most thought-provoking conversation. Dr Claudia Nisa presented her research on “CCS in the media - What is being said, by whom and in which information sources”. Her findings indicated that in the last decade (excluding 2017) local media lacked understanding of the technology of CCS. The research also highlighted that the discussion around the importance of CCS has not progressed during that period.
The latest increase in media coverage of CCS technology is likely to shift these results. The Global CCS Institute is playing a significant role with its advocacy strategy. The Institute is working to inform not only the media but also the wider public on importance of CCS in Australia and globally.
CCS research in Australia is progressing. Researchers are now ready for the deployment of projects. New generation carbon technologies with great promises for cost reductions are being developed and tested at small scales (lab to small pilots).
There is now sufficient knowledge to proceed with injection and storage. There are now robust strategies in place to monitor the CO2 for assurance and conformance. Ultimately, Australia is ready for deployment.
Japan CCS and METI speak at top Australian Universities
Mr Takuro Okajima from the Japanese Government and Mr Yoshihiro Sawada from Japan CCS visited Australia’s two leading CCS Universities Peter Cook Centre at University of Melbourne and Monash University. Post-doctoral students, professors and heads of departments were eager to hear about the progress of CCS in Japan and the latest development of the Tomakomai Project. Monash University also hosted the Japanese delegation for a panel discussion event. PhD
Mr Okajima presented on the current state of CCS in his country. His presentation reflected the strong interest of the Japanese Government to use CCS to reduce emissions. Mr Okajima also explained the key role the Japanese government is playing in characterising and securing storage sites in offshore environment to enable the deployment of CCS.
Mr Sawada presented on the progress of the Tomakomai Project. He focused on the project’s achievements to date including the ongoing injection and public engagement strategy. The audience was fascinated by his engaging presentation.
The visit of the Japanese delegate concluded with a tour of the CCS labs at Melbourne University, the storage reservoir rock evaluation and capture lab.
