Flexible CCS Network Development (FleCCSnet) Second workshop

This blog was written by Dr. Hamed Aghajani who attended the seccond FleCCSnet worksop in May 2015. He is a Research Associate at Newcastle University and it working on UKCCSRC Call 1 Project: Flexible CCS Network Development (FleCCSnet)

The second Flexible CCS Network Development (FleCCSnet) workshop was held on the 18th May 2015 at the School of Marine Science and Technology, Newcastle University. It was the second of two workshops aimed to bring together leading industrialists and academic experts to discuss the achievements since the first workshop, the models developed and potentials for future scenarios of flexible CCS networks.

Potential future CCS pipeline networks in the UK will have to accommodate daily and seasonal variations in CO₂ flows from a number of power plants and industrial sources, equipped with CO₂ capture technologies, to offshore geological storage sites. Initially, CO₂ networks will be designed to meet the site specific constraints of anchor projects, and will be specifically designed to meet the requirements of both the CO₂ source and storage site. Over time, it is likely that a range of CO₂ capture technologies, of different sizes and fuel sources, will be integrated into the network. In addition, geological storage sites will likely have varying surface injection pressures and operating routines, imposing further constraints on the transportation network. It is therefore important to understand the potential evolution and expansion of the CCS chain, the implications for the CO₂ pipeline network, and the variable and transient flows of CO₂ that may exist under different pipeline network scenarios.

The aims of the second workshop are: To review and critique the scenario output from workshop 1. To review and comment on the results of the pipeline transient models. To provide user input into the development of further analysis.

The event was well attended with a good mixture from industry and academia. The organisations in attendance were National Grid, Element Energy, UKCCSRC, SCCS, Energy Institute, Costain, PSE, AMEC Foster Wheeler, Five Quarter Energy, University of Leeds, University of Strathclyde, Imperial College London, Heriot Watt University, of Edinburgh and Newcastle University. The workshop allowed academics and industrialists to discuss and critically assess the challenges that pipeline network should tackle with the variations in supply (capture sites) and demand (Geological sites).

After a short welcome from Dr. Julia Race, the morning session started with an overview of the outcomes of the first FleCCSnet workshop from Dr. Eva Sanchez, where a series of critical parameters were identified that were considered to impact the flexibility of the network. She then explained the development of a variety of onshore and offshore boundary conditions which were dependant on the number and type of power plant and industrial sources, and the type of storage site. She also characterised the requirements of each type of storage type, i.e. depleted reservoirs, EOR and saline aquifers. She also described the power plant and storage site modelling that had been conducted to input into the pipeline models developed in the Newcastle University.

The second talk was given by Dr. Hamed Aghajani on the effect of a range of parameters on the flow behaviour inside a network of pipelines of different lengths and diameters. The parameters included the variation in load through ramp down and ramp ups, outlet valve closure, linepacking capability of the pipeline and the addition of a new source into an existing network or the removal of an emitter from a network. In the follow up discussion after the presentation, it was reaffirmed from many of the industrial attendees that more detailed concentration on linepacking capabilities would be of great value to the industry.

In the afternoon session, industry and academic experts provided comments on the work being carried out by the project team so far. In addition to linepacking, some open concerns arose in the distribution among multiple wells and an interest in the guideline for rules of entry to the pipeline network system.

However, many more technical and economic aspects of future CCS networks were also discussed. So, if you want to know more about the FleCCSnet research project then please do not hesitate to contact me.