Researchers and industry partners convened in Madrid for a two-day CCUS ZEN project meeting under the theme: How to make a CCUS value chain fly? The event focused on accelerating the deployment of Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) within the nascent regions of the Greater Baltic Sea, covering Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland; and the Mediterranean Sea, covering Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Turkey.
What’s going on:
The meeting aimed to bridge the gap between theoretical research and practical application, with Eirik Falck da Silva leading discussions that explored the complexities and opportunities within the CCUS landscape. Participants endeavoured to expedite the realisation of CCUS projects by fostering an ecosystem where knowledge, experiences, and strategies are shared seamlessly among Europe's emerging industrial clusters.
What happened:
Around 60 people attended, ranging from researchers, policymakers, and storage experts, to capture engineers, regional emitters, and value chain investors. Day One showcased progress and potential, illustrating the maturation of the CCUS ZEN work packages across the board. Insights into the dynamics of CCUS value chains, especially within challenging environments, were shared alongside regional reporting updates for the Baltic and Mediterranean areas, revealing critical emission points, transport corridors, and potential storage sites, emphasising the regional focus.
Day Two shifted focus to the Mediterranean, concentrating on Spain's CCUS endeavours as the host country for the meeting. The inclusion of perspectives from the CCSA, Porthos Project, and the Denmark Energy Agency provided a broader European context. It was interesting to hear how these align with the ambitions of the recently proposed Industrial Carbon Management Strategy. This pivotal announcement is a significant indication of further demand for CCUS activities across the CCUS ZEN regions.
Why this is important:
The project meeting highlighted the critical need for cross-sectoral collaboration in advancing CCUS technologies. The convergence of experts, policymakers, and industry stakeholders underscored the importance of sharing knowledge and discussing challenges to scale up CCUS deployment effectively. Discussions emphasised the significance of regulatory frameworks, public perception, and the integral role of industry and academia. The exploration of viable storage sites and early risk assessments underlined the complexity inherent in CCUS projects. These elements collectively demonstrate the meeting's pivotal role in shaping future CCUS strategies and policies, reinforcing the necessity of a comprehensive, collaborative approach for a carbon-neutral future.
Key discussion outcomes for Spain:
The European Green Deal extends beyond renewables and hydrogen, with industries like cement and chemicals in Spain increasingly seeking CCS to decarbonise, signalling a shift towards carbon capture technologies.
Spain needs to manage CO2 emissions effectively and enhance its storage capabilities to lead in adopting CCUS technologies. Cross-border access is critical for CCS development in the country.
Efforts by organisations such as IGME and local research institutes in Spain have achieved success in advancing CCS technologies. The country realises that CCS has evolved from a research and development subject to a commercial endeavour with growing support from the central government.
Public engagement is crucial in Spain. Engaging with citizens and NGOs is essential for promoting the technology. CCS experts are very effective advocates in discussing challenges and explaining the benefits of CCS.
Spain can learn from examples like the Climate Agreement 2019 in the Netherlands, driven by legal action from NGOs, highlighting the potential for policy change.
Political support and industry involvement are crucial for CCUS infrastructure and technology development in Spain. Spain needs a politician to champion CCS for the sector.
Spain, a longstanding European leader in Engineering and Renewables, has the opportunity to become a key player in CCUS technologies by addressing these key discussion points and fostering collaboration between government, industry, and civil society.
Researchers and industry partners convened in Madrid for a two-day CCUS ZEN project meeting under the theme: How to make a CCUS value chain fly? The event focused on accelerating the deployment of Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) within the nascent regions of the Greater Baltic Sea, covering Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland; and the Mediterranean Sea, covering Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Turkey.
What’s going on:
The meeting aimed to bridge the gap between theoretical research and practical application, with Eirik Falck da Silva leading discussions that explored the complexities and opportunities within the CCUS landscape. Participants endeavoured to expedite the realisation of CCUS projects by fostering an ecosystem where knowledge, experiences, and strategies are shared seamlessly among Europe's emerging industrial clusters.
What happened:
Around 60 people attended, ranging from researchers, policymakers, and storage experts, to capture engineers, regional emitters, and value chain investors. Day One showcased progress and potential, illustrating the maturation of the CCUS ZEN work packages across the board. Insights into the dynamics of CCUS value chains, especially within challenging environments, were shared alongside regional reporting updates for the Baltic and Mediterranean areas, revealing critical emission points, transport corridors, and potential storage sites, emphasising the regional focus.
Day Two shifted focus to the Mediterranean, concentrating on Spain's CCUS endeavours as the host country for the meeting. The inclusion of perspectives from the CCSA, Porthos Project, and the Denmark Energy Agency provided a broader European context. It was interesting to hear how these align with the ambitions of the recently proposed Industrial Carbon Management Strategy. This pivotal announcement is a significant indication of further demand for CCUS activities across the CCUS ZEN regions.
Why this is important:
The project meeting highlighted the critical need for cross-sectoral collaboration in advancing CCUS technologies. The convergence of experts, policymakers, and industry stakeholders underscored the importance of sharing knowledge and discussing challenges to scale up CCUS deployment effectively. Discussions emphasised the significance of regulatory frameworks, public perception, and the integral role of industry and academia. The exploration of viable storage sites and early risk assessments underlined the complexity inherent in CCUS projects. These elements collectively demonstrate the meeting's pivotal role in shaping future CCUS strategies and policies, reinforcing the necessity of a comprehensive, collaborative approach for a carbon-neutral future.
Key discussion outcomes for Spain:
The European Green Deal extends beyond renewables and hydrogen, with industries like cement and chemicals in Spain increasingly seeking CCS to decarbonise, signalling a shift towards carbon capture technologies.
Spain, a longstanding European leader in Engineering and Renewables, has the opportunity to become a key player in CCUS technologies by addressing these key discussion points and fostering collaboration between government, industry, and civil society.