We research how carbon captured from the combustion of fossil fuels can be safely stored in the subsurface. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a critical component of many initiatives to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel combustion to meet decarbonisation targets. The carbon storage research strand in our research group covers the experimental, numerical and analogue investigation of the key processes controlling the integrity of CO2 storage sites. Our researchers are world-leaders in tracking the migration and fate of injected CO2 in the subsurface and have contributed to a number of large-scale CO2 storage projects. We have a strong track record of high-level research into all aspects surrounding CO2 storage. Our researchers and their work support industry, regulators and government, and have led on several reports commissioned by the Scottish Government. We have also undertaken projects with international partners in Australia, Canada, Iceland, the USA and with the Global CCS Institute. Scottish Centre for Carbon Capture and Storage Our work is assisted by a direct link to an internationally significant group called Scottish Carbon Capture and Storage (SCCS). SCCS is: well-linked to peer academics, industry, government, international test sites; and has scope to develop £100,000 to £20 million projects in Horizon 2020, The EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation; and provides scientific advice to the UK and Scottish Governments. Visit the Scottish Carbon Capture and Storage website Current projects Scottish Net Zero Roadmap (SNZR) Scottish Net Zero Roadmap (SNZR) is part of a Government-funded challenge to develop net-zero industrial clusters by 2040. The aim is to develop a road map to show how the industrial cluster along Scotland’s East Coast can be decarbonised. It is currently emitting some 9.3 million tonnes of CO2 per annum – this is around 80% of Scotland’s industrial emissions. Visit the SNZR website PilotSTRATEGY PilotSTRATEGY aims to advance our understanding of deep saline aquifers (DSA) for geological CO2 storage in five European industrial regions. DSAs have much promise and potential for CO2 storage, yet are not well studied. There is a need to increase knowledge of these sites to enable faster deployment of CCS. Visit the PilotSTRATEGY website REALISE CCUS REALISE CCUS is a project that unites industry experts and scientists from different nations in a concerted drive to support the refinery sector’s decarbonisation ambitions. The research, funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 programme, focuses on the full CCUS chain – from CO2 capture, transport and geological CO2 storage to CO2 reuse – for specific clusters which include refineries and other industries. The project results will support CCUS delivery by demonstrating the technology, enabling sizeable cost reductions, undertaking public engagement and assessing financial, political and regulatory barriers. Visit the REALISE CCUS website Publications * Affiliated members highlighted in bold (2021) Quantification of solubility trapping in natural and engineered CO2 reservoirs. Petroleum Geoscience *Authors: R Leslie, AJ Cavanagh, RS Haszeldine, G Johnson, SMV Gilfillan View publication (2021) Carbon capture and storage at the end of a lost decade. One Earth *Authors: E Martin-Roberts, V Scott, S Flude, G Johnson, RS Haszeldine, S Gilfillan View publication (2021) A criteria-driven approach to the CO2 storage site selection of East Mey for the acorn project in the North Sea. Marine and Petroleum Geology 133, 105309 *Authors: J Alcalde, N Heinemann, A James, CE Bond, S Ghanbari, EJ Mackay View publication (2021) Upstream decarbonization through a carbon takeback obligation: An affordable backstop climate policy. Joule *Authors: S Jenkins, E Mitchell-Larson, MC Ives, S Haszeldine, M Allen View publication (2020) The performance of leaching experiments to assess the potential mobilization of trace elements during CO2 injection. Applied Geochemistry 120, 104667 *Authors: M Wilkinson, K Carruthers, AL Thomas, RS Haszeldine View publication This article was published on 2024-07-01