gigaCCS - Norwegian Research Centre of Excellence for Carbon Capture and Storage

The urgency to decarbonise the global economy to limit temperature increases to < 2°C is now. CO2 capture, transport, and storage (CCS) deployment at gigaton scale, which is widely recognised as being vital for a just and sustainable transition to net-zero emissions, can significantly reduce emissions from energy and industrial processes and enable large-scale carbon dioxide removal (CDR). CCS describes the process of capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from point sources such as industrial sites, transporting it by ship, truck or pipeline to a storage site, and injecting it in underground geological formations for permanently storage. CCS technologies also provide the foundation for CDR, which can compensate for both historic and residual gross emissions. The IEA Roadmap to Net Zero report estimates that CCUS will account for 8% of emissions reductions, an estimated 6 billion tonnes (Gt) per year globally by 2050. The EU Net-Zero Industry Act describes an annual injection capacity target of 50 million tonnes (Mt) of CO2 by 2030, and 450 Mt/year by 2050 to reach the EUs climate and energy objectives. gigaCCS will support the global implementation of CCS at gigaton scale by conducting targeted, interdisciplinary industry-driven research, create competitive CCS technologies, increase value, and reduce risk for industry and society through strategic competence and capacity building, supporting the achievement of 2030 and 2050 emissions reduction targets. Three strategic focus areas will shape the gigaCCS research portfolio to maximise our impact on CCS deployment at gigaton scale: Efficiency, Innovation and Credibility. Research will be carried out in collaboration with 32 leading industry actors that cover the whole CCS value chain. In addition, associated partners in the form of hubs and clusters, forums, interest organisations and municipalities, adding huge value through knowledge shared. Over 28 PhDs and postdocs and 50 MSc /BSc's will be educated.

CCS deployment at gigatonne scale is vital for a just and sustainable transition to net-zero emissions, providing the potential to significantly reduce emissions from energy and industrial processes, and enable large-scale carbon dioxide removal (CDR). gigaCCS will advance Norway’s CCS leadership and support the global implementation of CCS at gigatonne scale by conducting targeted, interdisciplinary industry-driven research in a centre of excellence dedicated to fostering capacity and world-leading expertise. gigaCCS is an impactful collaboration between experts in leading Norwegian and international CCS industry and pioneering research groups equipped with pan-European ECCSEL research infrastructure. gigaCCS will create competitive CCS technologies, increase value, and reduce risk for industry and society through strategic competence and capacity building, supporting the achievement of 2030 and 2050 emissions reduction targets. Research will be organised into four Mission Areas (MA) covering the whole value chain; MA1: Capture and CDR; MA2: Infrastructure; MA3: Storage and MA4: CCS Value Chains. Use cases will provide an integrated approach across the MAs, performing holistic assessments of individual case studies specific to industry. The gigaCCS consortium comprises leaders in their respective fields. Research will be carried out in collaboration with 30 leading industry actors that cover the whole CCS value chain, including major energy companies, industry and vendors. In addition, associated partners in the form of hubs and clusters, forums, interest organisations and municipalities, adding huge value through knowledge shared. Over 28 PhDs and postdocs and more than 50 MSc/BSc's will be educated. gigaCCS is expected to result in at least 50 innovations that will provide the basis for new skilled jobs in sustainable businesses in Norway and enable new and existing industry to exploit vast potential for increased export of technology and solutions.