UKCCSRC - Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) Research

The UKCCSRC, for the funding phase 2017 – 2022 is supporting a series of CCS research projects led by our core research team.

The core research has three linked themes: storage, capture and systems and policy.

Capture projects
The capture theme focuses on next generation CO₂ capture technologies and processes, including high and low temperature solids-based cycles, and links closely to the systems work.

Storage projects
The research topics within the storage theme include pressure migration and plume migration within storage reservoirs with impacts for geomechanical security, plume stability and site monitorability.

Systems and policy projects
The systems and policy theme looks at UK-wide systems, linking demand for heat and power, energy markets, industrial demand, and CO₂ transport infrastructure. The overall objective is to provide inputs into existing UK energy systems modelling. We also examine “social license to operate” for fossil-fired CCS as well as bio-energy with CCS (BECCS).

Enabling research

Since our creation in 2012, we have supported, strengthened and integrated the UK CCS community. The excellence of the UK research base is internationally recognised, with many of our 300+ academic members collaborating with CCS organisations across the world. We have become a vital link with industry, aligning CCS research with business needs to secure an attainable economic future for the technology.

Flexible funds

We opened our 2022 call for flexible funding in May 2022. Applications are now closed.

2012–2017 projects

During 2012 – 2017 the Centre issued two flexible funding calls that supported a total of 27 projects. These multidisciplinary CCS research projects sought to address gaps in knowledge and contribute to the commercialisation of CCS.

The UKCCSRC had £4.5 million in flexible funding to use to support CCS research. The projects addressed gaps in knowledge and contributed to the commercialisation of carbon capture and storage (CCS). Thirteen UK universities and research institutions were involved in research delivery, and key project outcomes are publicly available.

The outputs from these projects can be found on our Data and Information Archive.

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.