The Australian government formally launched the Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute at the inaugural meeting of founder members in Canberra today (Thurs). The institute will accelerate the deployment of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology globally and the sharing of information, funded by $100m per year from the Australian government. It has already received strong and widespread international support with 85 bodies, including 16 national governments and more than 40 major companies signing on as foundation members and collaborating participants.

Parsons Brinckerhoff is intimately involved in this developing technology. It is:

·         Technical adviser to the UK government on its 300MW full chain CCS demonstration project competition, which will prove the commercial viability of CCS.

·         Supporting a major state-owned electricity generator in Australia on the development of a demonstration-scale CCS project.

·         Working with a number of independent power producers to progress emerging pre-combustion CCS technologies such as oxy-firing and coal gasification.

Australia managing director Dr Jim Mantle said: “This institute is a global research hub leveraging ongoing CCS work happening in Australia and internationally. As a foundation member and international company, we are committed to supporting the GCCSI by providing specialist engineering and environmental expertise for the development of both pre and post-combustion carbon capture technologies. This includes transportation and logistics in respect of geo-sequestration.

“It is clear the institute is not just about theory. The aim is to have large-scale demonstration

projects launched globally before 2010. Parsons Brinckerhoff is already working with clients to develop such projects, which could save many millions of tons of carbon dioxide each year. There is global commitment to CCS initiatives and we are proud to be part of this important work. We look forward to having an active role in the global institute.”

The Australian Government has committed $100m per annum for the institute’s operation. It currently has 50 founding members and two supporting international organisations.

Source: PB World