IEAGHG Summer School: An opportunity to see how my research fits in the broader CCS context

Whilst my research is on the study of chimney structures for improved CO₂ storage site characterisation (STEM-CCS, CHIMNEY), the week provided an excellent opportunity to step away from my focused area of research and appreciate the role it plays in the broader context of CCS. It was inspiring to work alongside and learn from like-minded Early Career Researchers (ECRs), who shared the same passion for CCS and mitigation of anthropogenic CO₂ emissions.

The summer school truly was international, my team researched the role CO₂ Enhanced Oil Recovery (CO₂-EOR) plays in the CCS chain (see image). It was intriguing to get multiple perspectives on CCS from experts in industry (Simon O’Brien – Shell, Mike Monea – SaskPower), academia (Katherine Romanak The University of Texas at Austin), public communication (Norm Sacuta – PTRC) and from a policy perspective (Tim Dixon – IEAGHG).

A visit to SaskPower CCS plant and Boundary Dam gave me an appreciation of the technical complexity and scale of operation required to convert a coal fire power plant into a plant capable of CO₂ capture and storage.

The key message I took away from the summer school was that the CCS technology, whilst improving in efficiency and understanding, is in place. What is preventing further full-scale projects is the economic feasibility and effective policy. Clear public communication is also an important factor that cannot be overlooked.

I now look forward to sharing the knowledge I have gained from the summer school. It was an invaluable and unique learning experience. I thank the IEAGHG, SaskPower, University of Regina and UKCCSRC for the fantastic opportunity, I am sincerely grateful.