UKCCSRC Knowledge Exchange Conference 2025 – Plenary 2 – UKCCSRC & UK CCS – 2016-2025 (ECR Meeting Fund)

Emmanuel Jonah Abah (Cranfield University) share their takeaways from “Plenary 2 – UKCCSRC & UK CCS – 2016-2025” at the UKCCSRC Knowledge Exchange Conference 2025.

Plenary Session 2 of the recent  UKCCSRC Knowledge Exchange Conference offered a compelling retrospective and progressive discourse on how the UK’s carbon capture and storage (CCS) landscape has evolved over the last decade, in addition to its impending direction.

Setting the Scene

This session followed the opening plenary, which revisited the early years of UK CCS (2005–2015). In contrast, Plenary 2 turned to the more recent era, outlining how research, policy, industry, funding, and stakeholder engagement have progressed through 2016 to 2025.

This session was defined by contributions from key speakers: Brian Allison, Carys Blunt, Jon Gibbins, Aisha Ibrahim, Bryony Livesey, and Jen Roberts. Their diverse experience in academia, industry, research management, policy shaping, leadership and coordination underscored how multifaceted and interconnected the UK CCS endeavour now is. Generally, it was a period of critical reflection for most participants on the way forward amidst the gamut of challenges ranging from policy and technology deployment that UK CCS might be faced with.

Aisha Ibrahim speaking in Plenary 2

Highlights & Themes

Continuity, Transition, and Institutional Growth

One persistent subject common to all the speakers was how the momentum built earlier (2005–2015) needed to be sustained, nurtured and adapted, rather than reinventing the wheels again. The speakers reflected on institutional changes (in UKCCSRC itself, funding structures, and networks) which enabled more ambitious initiatives and collaborations. One of the speakers captured the challenge succinctly: “We must stop thinking of CCS as a set of discrete projects, it is a generational endeavour, passed forward like a baton.”

From Pilot to Scale

As technical research matures into various degrees of technological readiness level, the conversation shifts towards how to move from laboratory scale prototypes into scalable, real-world deployment. Speakers presented various challenges in upscaling carbon capture systems, validating storage integrity, and ensuring that working lab-based systems can successfully match large scale industry-level adoption. The role of demonstration projects, cross-sector partnerships, and “learning by doing” were the main points raised, amongst others.

Policy, Funding, and Institutional Incentives

Another recurring thread was that the successful implementation of CCS at the required scale hinges not just on technological advancements, but equally on consistent policy direction and reliable financial involvement from stakeholders. Speakers examined how both UK and international policy frameworks have progressed over the years or, in some cases, occasionally lagging. They all highlighted the growing involvement of funding organisations and government institutions. The discussion also delved into the dynamic interplay between governmental vision, regulatory control, and industry commitment.

Interdisciplinary & Societal Dimensions

All the speakers assert that large scale deployment of CCS is no longer limited by just technical and financial challenges, but by major socio-economic factors such as earning public trust, ensuring fair deployment through environmental justice and achieving cross-disciplinary system integration.

Why This Session Mattered

Plenary 2 was not just a retrospective history session, it was a showcase of how far the UK CCS ecosystem has come, how its complexity has deepened, and where the next point of actions might lie. By connecting threads of research, policy, funding, and public engagement across the 2016–2025 period, the speakers provided a coherent narrative, which states: CCS is no longer a mere research effort but a central pillar in industrial decarbonisation strategies.

For early career researchers new to CCS, this session offered an essential orientation on the nitty-gritty of the past, present and future evolution of the field, understanding the challenges ahead, and getting a sense of how different actors (academics, government, industry, communities) should align. For long-standing participants, it was an opportunity to reflect, critique, and galvanise commitments for the next decade.

Rabiu Alibe Bukar (University of Birmingham) shares their takeaways from “Plenary 3 – “Moving Forward with CCS – what does success look like?” at the UKCCSRC Knowledge Exchange Conference 2025

The first presenter, David Parkin, from Progressive Energy, presented on the Hynet infrastructure. HyNet is a major UK low carbon initiative, the infrastructure consisting of the following. New and reused pipeline network transporting carbon dioxide to storage, facilities to capture CO2 emissions, Underground salt cavern hydrogen storage providing flexibility during periods of high energy demand, new pipeline network to transport hydrogen from production to use and low-carbon hydrogen production plants.

David highlighted the key success factors of HyNet:

• Delivering net zero CO2 for hard to decarbonise sectors (particularly cement and energy from waste, where CCS and hydrogen will be essential to meet 2050 targets)
• Revitalising industrial heartlands (green investment safeguarding jobs and generating 16,000 construction roles, 1,200 years of history)
• Enabling clean power through carbon capture and hydrogen (HyNet geological hydrogen storage is enabling low carbon electricity to be delivered on demand and is unmatched anywhere in the country)
• Stimulating growth (greenhouse gas removal and sustainable aviation fuels technologies are already being attracted in the Northwest)

The UK government made a financial commitment of £22 billion for carbon capture projects in Oct 2024. Also in April 2025, Eni and the UK Government reached financial close for Liverpool Bay CCS, a key storage project for HyNet. HyNet expands to 10 projects in August 2025 covering every aspect of CCS in the Northwest which is categorised into priority list and stand-by projects.

David emphasised that while HyNet represents a regional and national success story, no CO₂ has yet been abated. Moving from momentum to real delivery requires: taxpayer support (allocation of state resources is politics); accelerated timeline (we must become faster to remain relevant); and finally consistent development (we must support development costs in a more consistent way).

Gwenda McIntyre, from the Environment Agency (EA), delivered the second presentation on ‘What will help the move to sustainable deployment of CCUS techniques at scale’. Gwenda outlined the role of the EA in enabling sustainable deployment of CCUS technologies at scale, focusing on the agency’s regulatory functions, support mechanisms, and the role of researchers & technology developers and that of industry. The EA runs a dedicated programme to support the government net zero targets for HCCUS technologies. The HCCUS technologies have the potential to harm people and the environment, require energy, water & resources, reduce emissions to air & water & reduce waste.

Key EA actions to help scale CCUS sustainably include developing regulatory guidance. The UK regulators, produce guidance on emerging techniques by describing how to prevent or minimise the environmental impacts of HCCUS and develop with wide consultation & based focused evidence reviews on hydrogen production, with carbon capture & electrolysis of water & hydrogen combustion respectively.

Gwenda highlighted the agency’s ongoing work in collaboration with other UK regulators:

• Updating Good Environmental Techniques (GET) for CCUS to include industrial process emissions (e.g. cement, lime)
• Referencing good practice guidance such as that from the Energy Institute
• Continuing to gather and publish evidence on both amine and non-amine-based capture techniques
• Improving permitting processes, supporting compliance with guidance and technical assistance
• Engaging with stakeholders and researching cumulative impact risks
• Developing and validating tools such as an air dispersion modelling tool for emissions assessment
• Role of Industry: Industrial users deploying CCUS should:
  – Investigate how projects place new demands on local environmental capacity
  – Identify sector-specific guidance and cumulative risk factors
  – Address uncertainties in design at the application stage, including the risk of overdesign
  – Account for changes in effluent characteristics
  – Assess how capture plant integration affects overall site operations and performance

Finally, Dr. Daniel Mullen presented SSE Thermal’s strategic priorities and 2030 goals, highlighting the company’s role in delivering low-carbon flexible power and supporting the UK’s net zero transition.

The strategic priorities are: optimise operations (deliver the flexible energy required by a renewable s-led power system); accelerate decarbonisation (deliver the enduring low-carbon power generation required for net zero); and unlock hydrogen (support the accelerated development of a low carbon hydrogen ecosystem).

Reduced carbon emissions by >70% and on course to deliver SSE’s Net Zero by 2040 target, deliver extended operational and commercial contribution from existing assets, >2.5GW of low-carbon flexible generation, 150GWh of low-carbon H2 storage and >250MW of low-carbon H2 production.

Daniel stressed that carbon capture and storage (CCS) is critical to SSE’s strategy and to global climate mitigation, it limits the mean global temperature rise caused by human actions to manageable levels. The CCS deployment must be proportional to its positive societal impact, when compared to alternative decarbonisation pathways. CCS deployment should be safe for operators, public & process, timely to meet urgent climate goals, effective to reduce measurable emission reduction and repeatable.

Saleh Alfaleh (University of Edinburgh) shares their takeaways from “Parallel session 2c – CO₂ Transportation” at the UKCCSRC Knowledge Exchange Conference 2025

Joseph Hammond (University of Sheffield)

Joseph Hammond, University of Sheffield, presented his research on the spatial design of CCUS infrastructure networks. His work seeks to create methods that allow for quick yet accurate design of infrastructure that balances technical feasibility with broader stakeholder needs. Hammond’s approach focuses on three main components: mapping routes across complex geographical surfaces, detailing the engineering specifications of pipelines such as size, material and wall thickness, and simulating the decisions made by different groups, from industry and network planners to policymakers and the public.

He emphasised four key outcomes from this research. First, the move from planning individual corridors to designing entire networks, enabling a more realistic representation of infrastructure development. Second, an interactive design process that keeps the planner in the loop, allowing technical details to be adjusted and refined in real time. Third, a strong focus on future proofing, with the ability to simulate different scenarios and build flexibility into pipeline capacity. Finally, his approach highlights the importance of balancing technical, environmental, and social factors so that trade-offs between different priorities can be fully understood.

Shadab Alam (Teesside University)

While Hammond’s work focused on land-based infrastructure, Shadab Alam, from Teesside University, turned attention to the maritime sector with his project on decarbonising UK shipping. His research explores onboard methanol reforming with CO₂ capture and utilisation, offering an alternative pathway to reduce emissions from a sector that has traditionally relied on heavy fuel oil and marine gas oil. Alam described a concept in which e-methanol is produced at ports through the hydrogenation of captured CO₂ using green hydrogen. This fuel is then supplied to ships, where it replaces conventional fuels for propulsion. Onboard, the e-methanol is reformed, and the resulting CO₂ is captured and stored in dual-purpose ISO tanks that can carry both e-methanol and liquefied CO₂.

Case studies on two routes, Esbjerg–Immingham and Larne–Liverpool, demonstrated the potential of this system. Results indicated that the approach could achieve a net electrical efficiency of 28.4 per cent (22.2 per cent overall from green hydrogen to propulsion), though significant onboard CO₂ storage capacity would be required. Alam also described the design of a methanol–CO₂ heat exchanger, which enables efficient CO₂ liquefaction and heat recovery. Ongoing pre-commercial trials are testing the concept further, with future research focusing on dynamic voyage modelling and detailed techno-economic analysis to assess how the system could scale up.

Dimitrios Sykas (University of Strathclyde)

A different aspect of maritime decarbonisation was explored by Dimitrios Sykas, from the University of Strathclyde, who presented both his involvement in the Green Marine Project and his PhD research. He began by outlining the advantages and disadvantages of pre-combustion, post-combustion and oxy-fuel CO₂ capture technologies, noting that post-combustion capture has the advantage of being compatible with current marine engines without major modifications. The Green Marine Project is investigating the potential of carbon capture through membrane separation and has already completed lab-scale testing. Land-based integrated testing is expected to follow in the coming months. However, Sykas also highlighted challenges, including limited stakeholder experience with maritime practices, the complexity of regulatory compliance, and the logistical difficulties of installing and removing equipment while keeping vessels in operation.

Alongside this project, Sykas is conducting doctoral research on cryogenic distillation as a method for onboard CO₂capture. His work involves modelling systems for different vessel types, such as crude oil carriers, bulk carriers, Ro-Pax ships and LNG/LPG carriers. Cryogenic distillation could offer several advantages over other capture methods, including the ability to store CO₂ in solid form, reduced energy demand, and simpler equipment without the need for chemical reagents. Sykas has been modelling the thermophysical behaviour of CO₂–N₂–O₂ mixtures and simulating the de-sublimation of CO₂ from flue gases to understand how this approach could be applied in practice. He concluded that onboard CO₂ capture is a vital tool for reducing maritime greenhouse gas emissions, and that progress in land-based capture technologies can provide important lessons for the maritime sector.

Muyang Chen (Swansea University) shares their takeaways from “Parallel session 2b – CO₂ Storage” at the UKCCSRC Knowledge Exchange Conference 2025

Ensuring Long-Term Safety in Storage Procedure

At the recently concluded UKCCSRC Knowledge Exchange Conference 2025, the long-term safety of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology emerged as a central focus. Stephen Heath, Farshad Jafarizadeh and Simon Gregory, from chemical, geophysical, and microbiological dimensions respectively, systematically articulated the potential risks across the entire CCS value chain and presented their innovative, interdisciplinary solutions, collectively providing robust support for the safety and reliability of large-scale geological sequestration projects.

Exploring Production Chemistry Risks and Mitigation Strategies for Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS)

Stephen Heath’s session introduced the critical role of “Production Chemistry” in CO₂ injection and long-term storage processes. This discipline, originally applied in oil and gas extraction and processing to manage and mitigate chemical issues such as corrosion and scaling, is equally applicable to the geological sequestration phase of CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage) technology. Heath emphasized that CO₂ injection and storage presents not merely physical challenges but also complex chemical and biological risks, primarily encompassing corrosion, scaling, hydrate formation, and microbial activity.

Regarding corrosion, CO₂ reacts with water to form acidic solutions, corroding metallic wellbores, cement, and reservoir minerals. The co-injection of impurities like NO₂ and SO₂ can exacerbate this degradation, leading to compromisedwellbore integrity and potential CO₂ leakage. Mitigation strategies include selecting corrosion-resistant materials (e.g., corrosion-resistant alloys, CO₂-resistant cement), utilizing models to predict corrosion rates, and injecting chemical inhibitors.

Microbial activity poses risks closely linked to corrosion: microbes can proliferate in wellbores and reservoirs, forming biofilms that accelerate corrosion by producing H₂S. They can also induce mineral dissolution or biomineralization. Solutions involve employing corrosion-resistant materials, adding biocides or H₂S scavengers, and, under controlled conditions, leveraging microbially induced precipitation to enhance sealing.

The risks associated with scaling and hydrates primarily involve flow assurance disruption due to blockage. Scaling arises from salt precipitation or carbonate deposition (e.g. halite or calcium carbonate) after CO₂ injection, obstructing wellbore pores; however, precise control of deposition location can also enhance fracture sealing and reinforcement. Hydrates are ice-like solids formed by CO₂ and water under high-pressure, low-temperature conditions. Uncontrolled formation can block wellbores, but if managed appropriately during capture and separation, hydrate formation can aid CO₂ separation and purification.

Finally, Heath concluded that mitigating these risks requires an integrated approach utilising chemical modelling, material science, chemical additives, and biological control. This not only prevents corrosion, blockage, and leakage but also can proactively enhance storage effectiveness through controlled mineralization or hydrate formation, thereby improving the long-term safety and efficiency of CO₂ injection and storage.

Time-Shift Detectability for Monitoring Fault Reactivation and Microseismicity During CO₂ Injection

Farshad Jafarizadeh’s research also focuses on enhancing the long-term safety of CCS projects, specifically targeting risks associated with fault reactivation and induced microseismicity triggered by CO₂ injection, with the aim of achieving effective monitoring and early warning. In his presentation, he detailed an analysis method based on 4D seismic data for assessing “time-shift detectability”.

The core innovation lies in the ingenious combination of the classic Geertsma and Okada geophysical models to meticulously deconstruct complex subsurface signals. By separating and integrating the signals from these two models, he was able to identify unique time-shift signal characteristics indicative of fault reactivation. This distinct feature allows researchers to effectively differentiate fault reactivation phenomena from mere pressure signals.

He further investigated the method’s detectability across various monitoring equipment and event magnitudes. Results indicate that optimal monitoring equipment (PRM) can detect time shifts of approximately 0.06 milliseconds, which, according to model calculations, corresponds to the detection of seismic events with a magnitude of 2.65 or greater.

The method’s effectiveness was validated through analysis of real-world field cases, including Aneth and Ekofisk oil fields:

• In a microseismic case from the Aneth field, research showed that while individual microseismic events might not be independently detectable, the accumulated signals from a microseismic cloud formed by numerous events could be captured.
• In a genuine strong seismic event at the Ekofisk field, actual fault reactivation produced a ‘+0.31 millisecond time-shift’ signal, which was significantly larger than the instrument’s detection limit, strongly demonstrating the practical applicability of this technology.

The UK subsurface microbial limits database: a screening tool for safe geological storage

Simon Gregory presented a systematic, data-driven framework and its implementing tool for microbial risk assessment. His work quantifies the limits of deep subsurface microbial activity, specifically assessing the impact of key physicochemical parameters (e.g., temperature, salinity, pH, pressure, permeability, porosity, and sulphate concentration) on microbial activity within deep subsurface CO₂ and H₂ storage environments. It also established clear high, medium, and low-risk thresholds for microbial activity under these parameters. This advancement transitions microbial risk assessment from qualitative understanding to a quantitative one. Furthermore, this tool features a user-friendly interactive database interface, enabling non-microbiologists, such as engineers and geoscientists, to rapidly and intuitively assess microbial risks at specific subsurface storage sites, thereby supporting decision-making.

Overall Conclusion

In summary, these three closely interconnected presentations at the conference clearly demonstrated that ensuring the long-term safety of CCS projects is a systematic engineering endeavor requiring the integration of knowledge from production chemistry, geophysics, and microbiology. From preventing well-bore corrosion and providing early warning for fault reactivation to quantitatively assessing microbial risks, each technological advancement lays a solid cornerstone for the promise of secure CO₂ sequestration.

Haolin Ju (University of Birmingham) share their takeaways from “Parallel session 2a – CO₂ Capture” at the UKCCSRC Knowledge Exchange Conference 2025

This session of UKCCSRC Knowledge Exchange Conference chaired by Prof. Mathieu Lucquiaud from University of Sheffield was kicked off with updates on carbon capture.

First, Ronak Mistry from Greenovate Solutions introduced Cross Flow + Co-Current Flow Gas-Liq. Contactor for CO2 Capture.

The presentation provided a comprehensive overview of the TubeCCU technology, a modular carbon capture solution tailored for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across India and Southeast Asia. SMEs collectively contribute significantly to industrial CO2 emissions but lack access to affordable, efficient capture technologies due to high capital expenditure (45%), high energy requirements (25%), and limited technical capacity (20%).

The TubeCCU system integrates capture, purification, compression, and storage into a compact, modular design powered by industrial waste heat, minimising additional energy demand. Pilot studies demonstrated 90% CO2 removal efficiency at an energy consumption of just 2.6 GJ/tCO2, far lower than conventional processes, thereby reducing operating costs and environmental impact. The distributed deployment model links multiple SME units to centralised processing hubs, enabling shared infrastructure, logistics optimisation, and the development of local liquid CO2 (LCO2) supply chains, potentially replacing expensive imports.

Planned deployments include 5–50 TPD demonstration facilities in India and Singapore, with the ambitious goal of achieving 80% emissions reduction across SMEs by 2030 and full-scale industrial rollout by 2026. Beyond environmental benefits, the technology offers substantial economic gains, with Singapore alone projected to save 12 million SGD annually by substituting domestic LCO₂ production for imports.

The presentation concluded by emphasising TubeCCU’s scalability, energy efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, positioning it as a transformative solution for decarbonising SMEs while supporting economic development and industrial sustainability in emerging economies.

Next, Dr Nejat Rahmanian, from the University of Bradford, talked about Integrated Carbon Capture and Aluminium Recovery: A Pathway to Net-Zero in Steel Industry.

This integrated approach emits 1.91 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of steel, contributing 7–9% of global CO2 emissions while producing large volumes of alkaline steel slag.

The proposed Indirect Mineral Carbonation (IMC) process employs a pH-Swing methodology combining acid leaching, impurity removal, CO₂ absorption, and carbonation to produce high-purity calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) while recovering valuable metals like aluminium. A Design of Experiments (DoE) approach tested acid type, concentration, temperature, and reaction time across 150 experiments, with TGA, XRD, SEM analyses confirming mineralogical changes and CO2 sequestration performance.

Results demonstrated >99% calcium leaching efficiency, significant aluminium recovery, and successful production of CaCO3 under optimised conditions. The IMC process thus offers dual environmental benefits: greenhouse gas mitigation and waste valorization.
Future work will focus on continuous process optimization, techno-economic assessment, and industrial-scale deployment, positioning IMC as a promising technology for low-carbon steel production and circular economy integration.

Last, Dr. Jasper Wong from Airhive talked about Airhive’s Direct Air Capture (DAC) Demonstration at Deep Sky Alpha, which focused on its low-cost Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology featuring a fluidized-bed carbonator, proprietary solid sorbents, and renewable-compatible heat recovery. The design emphasizes energy efficiency, modular scalability, and economic viability, enabling incremental deployment to reduce investment risks.

The first 1,000 tCO₂/year demonstration plant, Storm One, will launch in Canada by 2025. Pilot studies achieved high CO₂ removal efficiency at low energy intensity, though current costs remain around $468 per tonne CO₂.

Future plans include a 1-ktpa demonstration facility in Barcelona (2026), followed by 10-ktpa and 50–100-ktpa commercial plants in Canada and the Asia-Pacific region (2027–2028). The ongoing Series A funding round aims to finance project construction and commercialization efforts, targeting $4–6 million annual recurring revenue (ARR) by 2026 through industrial deployment and carbon credit markets.

Airhive envisions its DAC system as a scalable, renewable-integrated solution for industrial decarbonisation, bridging the gap between pilot validation and commercial-scale CO₂ removal.

Saheed Bello (University of Cambridge) shares their takeaways from “Parallel 1c: Public Perception Policy” at the UKCCSRC Knowledge Exchange Conference 2025

The relevance of public acceptance and policy in supporting rapid deployment of CCUS technology remains a critical aspect of the whole CCUS value chain. Three interesting papers related to public acceptance and policy of CCUS were presented by competent experts from internationally reputable UK Universities during the UKCCSRC conference in the concurrent afternoon session of first day of the conference. Dr Ruissein Mahon, from Robert Gordon University, presented her research on how derisking carbon storage projects influence public perception. Another public acceptance research on CCUS was presented by Dr Peipei Chen, from the University of Cambridge, whose research conducted a multi-country survey across Europe to exploring public acceptance of CCUS and green industrial clusters. On the other hand, Dr Jen Roberts, from the University of Strathclyde, took another dimension of existing research protocols through her research presenting on how CCS is growth modelled in climate mitigation pathways. These fascinating research presentations greenify the Conference in supporting CCUS technology innovation research for designing appropriate social license to operate CCUS.

The session began with an insightful presentation by Dr Ruissein, who shared her research on how de-risking carbon storage projects can influence public perception and acceptance. Her work investigates the relationship between perceived project risks—such as environmental, health, and economic concerns—and levels of public support for carbon storage initiatives.

She argued that technical and financial de-risking of projects not only reduces real operational challenges but also enhances transparency and trust among stakeholders. By proactively addressing uncertainties and potential failure points, developers can foster greater community confidence. Dr Ruissein highlighted that clear communication, robust environmental monitoring, and transparent risk management strategies are key tools in gaining and maintaining public approval. Her work offers practical insights into how government and industry can collaborate to build and sustain public trust in CCUS projects.

The second presentation, delivered by Dr Peipei, brought a broader international perspective by exploring public acceptance of CCUS and green industrial clusters across multiple European countries. Drawing on an extensive multi-country survey, Dr Peipei examined public attitudes towards industrial decarbonisation and carbon capture in different cultural and political contexts.

Her research revealed a generally positive disposition toward CCUS, especially when it is positioned within a broader narrative of green industrial transformation and economic renewal. However, she also noted significant variation in acceptance levels depending on national context, perceived local benefits, trust in institutions, and understanding of the technology. Her work emphasizes the need for context-specific engagement strategies that account for regional differences in values, communication channels, and political landscapes. Importantly, Dr Peipei’s research supports the argument that effective public engagement must go beyond awareness campaigns and involve communities in co-designing solutions that align with their aspirations.

Taking a different analytical angle, Dr Jen presented on how CCS growth is modelled in climate mitigation pathways, focusing on how policy, technological readiness, and societal acceptance are represented (or underrepresented) in integrated assessment models (IAMs). Her research critically examined the assumptions underpinning CCS deployment scenarios in global and national climate models, questioning whether these models sufficiently account for real-world barriers such as social license, permitting delays, and infrastructure deployment challenges.

Dr Jen argued that while IAMs are invaluable for scenario planning, they often overlook crucial socio-political dynamics that can make or break CCUS projects in practice. Her presentation called for a more interdisciplinary approach in modelling efforts—one that integrates social science insights into traditionally techno-economic frameworks. This would result in more realistic and implementable pathways for achieving net-zero goals.

Together, these three presentations offered a comprehensive overview of the current research landscape on public acceptance and policy in CCUS. They revealed the interconnectedness between technical feasibility, social legitimacy, and political will, reinforcing the idea that technology alone cannot solve the climate crisis. Successful CCUS deployment depends on inclusive dialogue, transparent governance, and context-sensitive policy interventions.

These contributions were not only intellectually stimulating but also instrumental in “greenifying” the conference—broadening the narrative around CCUS innovation to include the human and institutional elements essential for sustainable deployment. As CCUS continues to gain momentum globally, the research presented in this session provides valuable guidance for policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers working to ensure that CCUS projects earn and retain a social license to operate.

Oludare Amos Solademi (Robert Gordon University) and Abdulsalam Abdulkarim (Robert Gordon University) share their takeaways from “Parallel 1b: CO₂ Storage” at the UKCCSRC Knowledge Exchange Conference 2025.

This year’s UKCCSRC Conference, held at the University of Sheffield, brought together leading researchers, industry experts, and policymakers to discuss pathways for transforming our carbon future and to celebrate the UKCCSRC’s 20th anniversary. Highlighting innovative projects such as the Geomechanical Assessment of Caprock Integrity During CO₂ Injection into Depleted Hydrocarbon Reservoirs, the conference emphasised the dual challenges of caprock integrity and storage security as critical steps toward achieving a net-zero.

Abdusalam Abdulkarim’s insights on CO₂ sequestration underline a critical aspect of carbon management, focused on the importance of caprock integrity when storing CO₂ in depleted oil and gas reservoirs. The caprock, which is a geological layer that seals the reservoir, must maintain its ability to contain CO₂ to ensure safety and environmental protection. The risk of leakage, as Abdusallam pointed out, can stem from a variety of mechanisms. Hydraulic fracturing, for instance, occurs when the pressure from injected CO₂ surpasses the rock’s ability to withstand it, leading to cracks that can form pathways for gas to escape. Stress-induced shear failures can occur due to changes in pressure and temperature conditions, while chemical interactions between CO₂ and the caprock can compromise its integrity.

To mitigate these risks, the speaker emphasised the necessity of managing the injection process carefully. This involves maintaining the injection pressure below the caprock’s fracture threshold, thereby minimising the likelihood of unintentional fractures. Moreover, geochemical monitoring is essential. By tracking chemical changes in the reservoir, operators can pre-empt potentially damaging interactions with the rock matrix. The use of advanced materials or sealants is also crucial; these can fortify existing fractures and bolster the overall sealing properties of the caprock, making it more resilient against potential breaches. In addition to these preventive measures, real-time monitoring plays a vital role in ensuring the integrity of CO₂ storage sites. Techniques like microseismic or passive seismic monitoring can reveal early signs of changes in subsurface conditions, providing crucial data to pre-emptively address issues before they escalate into significant problems. Temperature and pressure sensors deployed within the reservoir offer operators the ability to respond swiftly to any deviations, thereby safeguarding the long-term sequestration efforts.

Stephen Vincent’s presentation outlined a three-year study of the Bunter Sandstone Storage Complex (BSSC) in the southern North Sea, focusing on its geological potential for carbon storage. The presentation was divided into three main components.

Chronostratigraphy and Correlation: The analysis of SM14 onshore reference well to establish a detailed Triassic section, creating a new palynological framework with ten zonations applicable offshore. He identified Milankovitch cycles that provided high-resolution age control, aiding in predicting mudstone barriers within the reservoir.

Reservoir Characterisation: Over 1,000 meters of core were examined through various analyses, revealing a complex depositional history and significant variations in porosity and permeability. The presentation clarified the sediment sources’ impact on reservoir properties.

Seal Potential Investigation: Detailed analyses of the Haisborough Group indicated strong heterogeneity in seals, particularly regarding halite content, while confirming the group’s viability as a sealing unit. The presentation emphasises the significance of the SM14 well for age control and seal characterisation, highlighting the Bunter Sandstone’s variability in reservoir quality and its arkosic composition. Recognition of Milankovitch-driven facies cycles aids in predicting mudstone barriers, while the heterolithic characteristics suggest that some intervals may act as flow baffles, potentially enhancing CO₂ trapping efficiency.

The presentation by Parvin Ahmadi focuses on the role of hysteresis in long-term underground CO₂ storage. Hysteresis refers to the path-dependent behaviour of fluid flow in porous media, where changes in saturation during drainage and imbibition affect capillary pressure and relative permeability. This phenomenon influences fluid distribution, trapping efficiency, plume migration, and ultimately the reliability of reservoir simulations. Using a conceptual 2D shoebox model and the Eclipse 100 simulator, the presentation explored hysteresis effects under controlled conditions with supercritical CO₂ injection followed by water injection.

Different reservoir permeabilities, injection rates, and hysteresis implementations were tested to assess their impact on CO₂ plume dynamics. Results reveal that neglecting hysteresis leads to overestimation of mobile CO₂ and underestimation of trapping capacity; while including it improves predictions of long-term containment. It also suggests that water or carbonated water injection can be strategically designed to further exploit these effects. The final message emphasises the need to use hysteresis-aware simulations for site selection, risk assessment, and storage design, cautioning against oversimplified models that could misrepresent long-term storage safety.

These presentations underscore a comprehensive strategy toward carbon management and sustainable energy production. They highlight the interplay between scientific innovation, technological applications, and environmental stewardship, paving the way for advancements that could drastically change how we approach energy consumption and CO₂ emissions. As the world continues to grapple with the effects of climate change, these discussions contribute to the development of actionable solutions that embrace both economic viability and ecological responsibility.

The global drive towards net-zero emissions is pushing innovation in carbon capture technologies, and this year’s UKCCSRC Knowledge Exchange Conference showcased two remarkable approaches in “Parallel Session 1a: CO₂ Capture”. The session featured cutting-edge research on optimising polymeric membrane systems for enhanced carbon capture performance, presented by Pierre Dieudonné, from the University of Edinburgh, alongside an industrial perspective on scaling Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) for carbon capture, delivered by Dr. Chitrakshi Goel, from Promethean Particles.

Together, these talks highlighted both the academic and industrial frontiers of CO₂ capture: from developing flexible optimisation frameworks to fine-tune membrane parameters, to demonstrating large-scale MOF production and deployment for efficient and cost-effective carbon capture. This session provided valuable insights into how innovative materials and system design can accelerate the transition towards cleaner energy systems.

Optimising of Polymeric Membrane Systems for Innovative Carbon Capture processes

Pierre Dieudonné presented his work on the optimisation of polymeric membrane systems for innovative carbon capture processes, highlighting how advances in materials, modelling and optimisation frameworks are shaping the future of membrane-based CO₂ separation. Membranes have emerged as a promising alternative to conventional solvent-based capture technologies. They are compact, modular and energy efficient. However, the industrial application is limited by the material performance trade-off between selectivity and productivity. Pierre highlighted how the temperature can dramatically affect membrane performance and modifies their separation properties . This is because temperature strongly affects selectivity and flux, the two main performance indicators for membranes. For instance, lower operating temperatures tend to increase CO₂ selectivity, but at the expense of flux (recovery). Balancing these two is essential.

To address this, an isothermal hollow fibre membrane model was implemented in Python, enabling accurate mass and momentum balances. This model can simulate both co-current and counter-current flows, offering flexibility in design. The model is linked with Honeywell’s UniSim Design Suite via an open-access connector, allowing integration of membrane modules with broader process simulations, thermodynamics and costing.

Their framework doesn’t just test technical performance, it also checks if the design makes economic sense, from annual costs to carbon taxes. Through iterative cycles, fixing process parameters, running simulations, gathering performance indicators and assessing feasibility, the framework identifies the best balance of efficiency and cost.

Pierre concluded that this flexible framework is widely applicable to any membrane-based process. Integrating operating temperature as a novel optimisation variable opens up new pathways, particularly when exploring sub-ambient operation. While such conditions raise cooling requirements, they could unlock performance gains for certain configurations and materials. Looking ahead, future work will explore hybrid membrane processes and new material classes at different stages of technological readiness.

This research shows that polymeric membranes, when carefully optimised, hold strong promise as part of innovative CCS strategies, contributing to a more sustainable and scalable approach to carbon capture.

Unleashing the Potential of Metal-organic Frameworks (MOFs) for Carbon Capture Through Scalable MOF Manufacture

In the same session, Dr. Chitrakshi Goel delivered an industrial perspective on unleashing the potential of MOFs (metal-organic frameworks) for carbon capture through scalable manufacturing. Representing Promethean Particles, Dr. Goel explained how advanced materials can transform the efficiency and scalability of CO₂ capture technologies.

Dr. Goel opened by reminding us why carbon capture is so critical, global emissions must fall fast, highlighting IPCC findings that global emissions must fall by 45% by 2030 to limit warming to 1.5 °C. Conventional technologies, particularly amine-based systems, are widely deployed but face critical challenges including high energy penalties, environmental concerns and prohibitive costs. Against this backdrop, MOFs (Metal-Organic Frameworks) emerge as highly promising alternatives due to their tunable porosity, high selectivity and energy efficiency.

A key focus of the talk was Promethean Particles’ pioneering efforts to move MOFs from the lab to industrial-scale production. Using proprietary continuous-flow reactor technology, the company has achieved scalable and reproducible MOF synthesis, enabling production capacities exceeding 100 kg with consistent quality. This capability directly addresses one of the main barriers that has historically limited MOF adoption, the difficulty of translating laboratory success into commercial deployment.

Importantly, Dr. Goel shared a techno-economic comparison of MOFs versus amine-based CCS. Results showed that MOF-based systems significantly reduce the energy penalty to 0.65 GJ/tCO₂ compared to 4.75 GJ/tCO₂ for amines and lower operating costs, without compromising capture efficiency. In fact, the projected cost of CO₂ capture using MOFs was estimated at $31 per tonne over 20 years, compared with $101 per tonne for conventional amine processes, a striking improvement in economic feasibility.  Pilot-scale demonstrations further reinforced the potential of MOFs, with units operating under real industrial conditions and achieving capture rates of 0.5–1.0 tonnes per day. These outcomes, particularly from the MONET project, mark important progress toward bridging the gap between innovation and commercial deployment.

Together, these talks showed how materials innovation and smart system design can support research towards achieving net-zero emissions.

Kofo Awodun (Brunel University of London) share their key insights  from “Parallel 1a: CO₂ Capture” at the UKCCSRC Knowledge Exchange Conference 2025

The UK Carbon Capture and Storage Research Centre (UKCCSRC) recently held its 2025 Knowledge Exchange Conference at the University of Sheffield, bringing together researchers, industry experts, and practitioners working at the forefront of carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS). Among the wide range of discussions and presentations, the “Parallel 1a: CO2 Capture” session stood out for its focus on innovative approaches and technologies that could play a pivotal role in achieving the UK’s decarbonisation targets. This session featured two insightful talks—one from an academic researcher developing advanced membrane systems for CO₂ capture, and the other from an industry leader exploring scalable production of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for large-scale deployment. Together, the presentations highlighted the dynamic interplay between fundamental science, industrial innovation, and real-world applications in tackling one of the most pressing challenges of our time: mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.

The first speaker in this session was Pierre Dieudonné, a second-year PhD student at the University of Edinburgh, whose research centres on the development of polymeric membranes for carbon capture. Dieudonné provided a detailed and engaging presentation on the process of synthesising polymeric membranes and their potential advantages for CO₂ separation and recovery. A central theme of his talk was the influence of operating temperature on membrane performance. He explained that temperature is not merely a background condition but a critical parameter that significantly affects both the selectivity and recovery rate of CO₂ during the capture process. By carefully considering temperature effects, researchers and engineers can design more efficient systems, ultimately reducing the cost and complexity of industrial deployment.

Dieudonné also highlighted the economic dimensions of carbon capture, particularly through the lens of process evaluation. He outlined an equation that integrates multiple financial considerations into a single framework: the total annual cost, including both material and equipment expenditures, along with carbon taxes and penalties. This comprehensive approach underscores that the economic viability of capture technologies cannot be separated from the regulatory and policy environment in which they are deployed. For industries such as cement production, where margins are tight and emissions are significant, these cost considerations become decisive.

To ground his research in real-world application, Dieudonné selected cement plant flue gas as a case study, modelling a stream with a CO₂ output of approximately ten tonnes per hour. The cement sector is well known as one of the most difficult industries to decarbonise, due both to the process emissions inherent to cement chemistry and the sector’s high energy intensity. However, flue gas from cement plants often contains CO₂ concentrations that are advantageous for membrane-based separation. By studying this application, Dieudonné is not only testing the technical feasibility of polymeric membranes but also assessing their potential to deliver meaningful reductions in one of the hardest-to-abate industrial sectors. His work demonstrated how a combination of scientific innovation, careful economic modelling, and sector-specific insight can advance the case for membrane-based CCUS solutions

Figure 1 – Pierre Dieudonné giving his talk on Optimisation of Polymeric Membrane Systems for Innovative Carbon Capture Processes.

The second presentation in the session shifted the focus from academic research to industrial innovation. Chitrakshi Goel, a senior application engineer at Promethean Particles Ltd, discussed her company’s pioneering efforts to revolutionise the field of solid sorbent-based carbon capture through the scalable production of MOFs. Metal-organic frameworks are porous crystalline materials that offer exceptional surface areas and tunable chemical properties, making them promising candidates for CO₂ capture. However, one of the key barriers to their widespread adoption has been the challenge of producing them consistently and at scale without compromising material quality.

Adewole Oluwatosin (Cranfield University) share their takeaways from “Plenary 1 – UKCCSRC & UK CCS – 2005-2015” at the UKCCSRC Knowledge Exchange Conference 2025

The Formative Years
The period 2005 to 2015 was foundational for carbon capture and storage (CCS) in the UK. By the end of it, many of the structures, aspirations and challenges that still shape UK CCS were in place.

Plenary 1 brought together many of the people who were there at the beginning to reflect on what worked, what didn’t and what lessons might carry forward. Here are the key developments and themes from that decade.

1. Setting up research community & early coordination
The UK CCS research ecosystem started in the mid-2000s. One early initiative was the UK CCS Consortium (2005-2009). Later this morphed into what was called the UK CCS Community Network (2009-2014), and ultimately evolved into the UKCCSRC (UK Carbon Capture and Storage Research Centre). UKCCSRC was established with core funding (for example, the EPSRC) to coordinate deep foundational research on capture, transport, storage, policy, regulation and public perception. This helped avoid duplication, built capacity (especially among early career researchers) and created a national focal point for UK academia to engage with government and industry.

2. Policy & legislative milestones
In 2008, the UK passed the Climate Change Act, committing to binding carbon emissions reductions and setting a framework that raised the stakes for CCS as an option for mitigating emissions. The Energy Act 2010 put legal powers in place for funding CCS demonstration projects, regulatory oversight, etc. It also defined the government’s ability to support this technology through subsidies, levies and reporting requirements.

3. Commercial-scale demonstration programme & projects
Perhaps one of the most significant efforts in this period was the UK CCS Commercialisation Programme, run by DECC (Department of Energy & Climate Change). Its goal was to demonstrate CCS at large scale in power generation and industrial emissions sources. It aimed to overcome barriers of cost, risk and public acceptance.

Several high profile projects were tied up with this: White Rose (near Drax), Peterhead, Eston Grange (or Teesside Low Carbon), etc. These proposals often included capturing ~90% of CO2 emissions, transporting them offshore, storing them in geological formations under the North Sea.

However, there were serious commercial, political and cost-risk challenges. In particular, the government’s first competition for a UK commercial CCS demonstration was launched (around 2007), but ultimately cancelled in 2015. The National Audit Office concluded that the competition had been under planned in terms of risk, cost and certainty of delivery.

4. Research, Cost Reduction & Learning
Throughout this decade, UKCCSRC and its predecessors supported extensive work on the technical challenges: capture technologies (post-combustion, oxy-combustion, etc.), transport of CO2 (pipelines, offshore), and geological storage (site characterisation, monitoring, safety).

Also, work on policy, regulatory frameworks, public acceptance, and liability, and economic modelling was increasing. It became clear that technology alone would not suffice: institutions, regulatory certainty, funding models and public trust would need just as much attention.

5. Challenges, Setbacks & Ends
The cancellation of the UTC (UK’s first demonstration competition) in 2015 was one of the major setbacks: promised funding withdrawn, projects halted despite approvals or engineering design studies already performed.

Cost predictions for CCS remained high, and uncertainties about whether electricity consumers or taxpayers should bear those costs remained a central issue. Also, negotiating the risk with private sector partners, ensuring long-term liability and permitting for geological storage and transport were non-trivial barriers.

Reflections & Lessons for Today
From the 2005-2015 decade, several enduring lessons emerge:

• Vision needs policy stability and legal framework. Legislation like the Climate Change Act and Energy Act provided needed direction, but inconsistent support (especially around funding) undermined execution.
• Early, coordinated research and community building matters. The UKCCSRC and its forerunners helped build capacity and shared knowledge; this infrastructure is essential.
• Commercial risks must be addressed explicitly. The failure of some demonstration projects didn’t stem from technical issues alone but often from funding, risk allocation and cost-overruns.
• Engagement beyond engineering is crucial. Public acceptance, regulation, liability, monitoring and governance need equal attention if CCS projects are to succeed.
• Demonstration at scale must be paired with pathways to cost reduction. Without showing scale, and learning how to push down costs, CCS is hard to render economically viable.

Conclusion
“Plenary 1: UKCCSRC & UK CCS – 2005-2015” offered a chance to look back with a clear  view: to understand what foundations were laid, what expectations were realistic, which  decisions paid off, and which ones led to unintended consequences. Returning to these early years is not just nostalgia—it’s a way to understand the constraints, the  breakthroughs and the missteps that inform what is possible now. If UK policy makers,  academia, industry and civil society carry the lessons forward, the next decade might see more fully realized CCS projects—ones that deliver on carbon reduction,  community benefit, and economic sustainability.

The UK Carbon Capture and Storage Research Community (UKCCSRC) is supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) as part of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Energy Programme.

The mission of the UKCCSRC is to ensure that carbon capture and storage (CCS) plays an effective role in helping the UK achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

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