The UK Carbon Capture and Storage Research Centre (UKCCSRC) has funded ten new projects to help the UK achieve its net zero emission targets.
Seven UK universities and the National Oceanography Centre will share a total of over half a million pounds of support for research covering CO2 capture from industrial sources and directly from air, environmental protection and effective monitoring of CO2 stored deep underground.
With close links to research users through its advisory council, the UKCCSRC was able to run a series of industry and regulator-led workshops to identify gaps where fast-track research projects could make the most impact.
The UKCCSRC secretariat then ran an assessment process using external reviewers, with final project selection authorised by the UKCCSRC board.
As a specialised research hub with strong links to more than 300 academic members and an experienced CCUS reviewer pool, the centre is well placed to offer rapid-response grants via its flexible funding calls, to complement conventional academic research funding options.
Jeremy Carey, UKCCSRC board chairman said: “We’re delighted with the high level of industry engagement in these diverse, relatively early stage projects and are excited to see the impact of the research outcomes.”
The UKCCSRC is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, and hosted by the University of Sheffield in partnership with ten other UK academic partner institutions.
Its strategic mission is to help ensure that CCS plays an effective role in reducing net CO2 emissions while securing affordable and controllable electricity supplies, providing low carbon heat and maintaining competitive industries for the UK.