UKCCSRC and SaskPower announce joint research programme for carbon capture and storage

The UK Carbon Capture and Storage Research Centre (UKCCSRC) and SaskPower have established a joint initiative to link practical experience on SaskPower’s Boundary Dam project with a wide-ranging academic carbon capture and storage (CCS) research programme.  

The three-year Memorandum of Understanding was signed on May 23, 2013, between UKCCSRC and SaskPower to facilitate research and related opportunities aimed at improving costs and performance of CCS. The announcement comes at the conclusion of the inaugural SaskPower CCS Information and Planning Symposium held in Regina this week.

In support of the MOU programme, the UKCCSRC has allocated an initial budget of $390,000 CAD (£250,000) to meet the additional costs to UK academic researchers. A joint SaskPower/UKCCSRC panel will provide oversight and planning for the coordinated research activities.

“The knowledge and expertise that SaskPower has gained through its carbon capture and storage project at Boundary Dam Power Station is now in demand by other organizations around the world,” said SaskPower President and CEO Robert Watson. “This type of international collaboration is very welcome and will benefit the energy industry as a whole.”  

“This joint initiative will add significant impact and value to the UKCCSRC’s research base. The ability to undertake research linked to the world’s largest post-combustion CCS project is crucial for keeping our programme at the leading edge of work to help meet global climate change targets” said Prof. Jon Gibbins, UKCCSRC Director.

The MOU comes after researchers from UKCCSRC and SaskPower officials met in 2012 on a visit to Canada supported by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, followed by a visit to the UK made by SaskPower. Results and outcomes will be shared with both organization members, with scope for extended and expanded research projects in future years.