International Network on Biofixation of CO2 and Greenhouse Gas Abatement with Microalgae

The purpose of the Microalgae Biofixation Network is to provide a forum for organisations already engaged or interested in research and development (R&D) of greenhouse gas abatement technologies using microalgae.

International Network for CO2 Capture

IEA GHG has developed the CO2 Capture Network to act as a forum for, and promote the work of, those involved in CO2 capture test facilities.

Monitoring Network

Established on 8th November 2004, the first meeting of the Monitoring Network demonstrated that there was a large tool box of monitoring techniques that could be applied for both surface and sub surface monitoring of CO2. It was clear that no single technique would be sufficient to meet all the different monitoring needs. Therefore, the aim of the network has been, to focus more on monitoring programmes rather than individual techniques.

Oxy-Fuel Combustion Network

The aim of the International Network for Oxy-Fuel Combustion is to provide an international forum for organisations with interest in the development of Oxy-Fuel Combustion Technology.

Risk Assessment Network

The International Risk Assessment Network was established in August 2005. It was agreed that the research network should aim to address what the regulators are expecting and whether risk assessment can provide the answers they require. The scope of the Risk Assessment Network can be divided into a number of smaller and more specific subject areas which can run alongside the operation of the network.

Well Bore Integrity Network

During the development of the Risk Assessment Network, discussions highlighted that the integrity of well bores and their long-term ability to retain CO2 could be a significant potential risk for the long-term security of geological storage facilities. To address this component of risk assessment a workshop was held in April 2005 to bring together over 50 experts from both industrial operators and from research organisations to determine the current state of knowledge of well bore integrity.

One of the main outcomes from the workshop was that the scope of work on well bore integrity was enough to establish its own network but there would be a report on progress at the annual Risk Assessment Network Meetings.

Joint Network Meeting

Following three sucessfull meetings of each of the Monitoring, Risk Assessment and Well Bore integrity Networks, it has been decided to bring these three networks together in one meeting to help shape the future direction for each Network

Modelling Network

The proposal for a CO2 geological storage modelling network was approved recently by the IEA GHG executive committee and subsequently debated at the recent joint meeting of the existing research networks (monitoring, risk and wellbore) in New York. At that meeting, there was broad support for the formation of a modelling network, but concern was expressed by some members of the risk assessment network that a modelling network might duplicate their efforts. Therefore, a decision was made to hold an initial workshop, to gauge support for the formation of a modelling network.

High Temperature Solid Looping Cycles Network

The international high temperature solid looping cycles network was adopted as an IEAGHG network in December 2008 and builds upon four preceding international workshops on in-situ CO2 removal organised largely by academia. The aim of the network is to promote further development and scale- up of processes for CO2 capture which involve solid looping cycles operating at elevated temperatures. At the industrial scale such processes are likely to use dual circulating fluid-bed technology, although fixed bed variants are also possible. The most notable applications are high temperature carbonation/calcination (the forward and reverse steps of the reaction between CaO and CO2) to remove CO2 from flue gases or reformed gas streams as well as solid bed oxidation/reduction loops which allow a variant of oxy-combustion of fossil fuels. An aim of the network is to expand current participation beyond the research community to include potential operators, plant designers and equipment suppliers because the technology is starting to move from the bench scale to pilot and industrial demonstration scale.

Social Research Network

As CCS moves towards real large-scale demonstration projects around the world, from a regulatory, commercial and ethical perspective, consultation and communication with local stakeholder populations will be an essential part of any project. There exists already a growing body of knowledge, expertise and experience in this area. The Carbon Capture and Storage Social Research Network (C2S2RN) formally organized after a pre-meeting of researchers, sponsored by the then UK DTI, took place in London in January 2006. The major aim of the C2S2RN was: to foster the conduct and dissemination of social science research related to CCS in order to improve understanding of public concerns as well as improve the understanding of the processes required for deploying CCS projects. In 2009, the members of C2S2RN concluded that the IEA GHG R&D Programme would provide an appropriate home for it to grow, develop and deliver wider benefits to all concerned. Consequently this new IEA GHG Research Network is now established.

IEA GHG will utilise its expertise to provide support for this Social Research Network. This support is part of an agreement with GCCSI in Australia. IEA GHG will work with social science researchers from Australia, Europe, United States, Japan and elsewhere to facilitate the sharing of research knowledge and experiences on public perception, engagement and communication around CCS and CCS projects.

Environmental Impact of Post Combustion Capture

Amine based post combustion CO2 capture is considered to be the most mature of the capture technologies available today. Capture plants with a capacity of up 300,000 tonnes of CO2 per year have already been constructed and there are well established suppliers.

The technology is based on washing the flue gas with a solvent that captures CO2. Thus, a small fraction of this solvent will be released through the stack together with the cleaned flue gas. For a 400 MWe CCGT plant a solvent slip of 1 ppm in the flue gas will add up to about 40 tonnes per year. This release may cause environmental concerns both directly and indirectly through subsequent solvent degradation into other substances in the atmosphere.

The expected emissions of amines, additives and their degradation products with flue gas stream and waste product streams is a continued concern and possible show-stopper for the deployment of full scale CO2 post combustion capture using amines.

There is a clear lack of understanding in the characteristics of the used solvent and their degradation products, which are an additional concern. From the global prospective, it is clear that the activities in relation to this topic are limited and there is a clear need for cooperation and knowledge exchange between the different institutes.

The “Environmental impact of Post Combustion Capture” workshop is established, primarily to share information on the environmental effect of using chemical solvents for capture of CO2, associated with conventional combustion based fossil fuel fired power stations. This may be the first activity for follow up workshops or symposiums.

CO2GeoNet

The Network focus is on the geological storage of CO2 as a greenhouse gas mitigation option. It has several objectives over the 5 year period of EC funding for integration.

CO2NET

CO2NET is the European Network of researchers, developers and users of CO2 technology, facilitating co-operation between these organisations and the European projects on CO2 geological storage, CO2 capture and zero emissions technologies.

EuroGeoSurveys

To assist the European Union to obtain joint technical advice from the Geological Surveys of the Member States and Accession Countries

eurogif

EUROGIF represents the European oil and gas service and supply industry. EUROGIF brings an industry perspective to the EU in terms of their formulation of both energy policy and Framework Programmes for sponsored research.

EnergyINet

EnergyINet is an organization that brings industry, researchers and government together to unlock the next generation of ideas and technology to provide Canadians with an abundant supply of affordable and environmentally responsible energy.

The Zero Emission Coal Alliance (ZECA)

A U.S.-Canadian consortium, comprised of 18 members representing governments, research organizations and the coal, utility, mining, and equipment manufacturing industries, proposes the development of a novel, highly efficient technology to generate electricity and/or hydrogen from coal with zero atmospheric emissions.