ECCSEL aims at gaining recognition as a world-class research infrastructure based upon leading European Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) institutions and knowledge centres. Goal of the project is the registration of ECCSEL as an ERIC (European Research Infrastructure Consortium) in 2017, forming a legal entity allocating efforts and resources to selected scientific and technological aspects of the CCS chain. The objective is to make available and provide access to a world-class distributed research infrastructure set up as a central hub responsible for the coordinated operation of multiple research facilities operating under a joint hallmark, ECCSEL.
The UN ranks climate change as the most severe issue of our time. Nonetheless, in some nations the issue of security of energy supply appears to represent an even more severe concern. Since energy demand is expected to grow in the foreseeable future, these issues can hardly be resolved unless a larger part of the global energy is provided with less greenhouse gas emissions. CCS is seen as a key technology in tackling climate change. The IEA and IPCC anticipate that CCS will contribute around 17% of the greenhouse gas emissions reductions required worldwide by 2050. The IEA further anticipates that the level should be as high as 24% within OECD Europe. In OECD Europe, this does not solely apply to the power sector, as 50% of the reductions must be achieved within industry.
Evidently, new techniques and concepts are urgently needed to improve the efficiency of CCS as a climate mitigation option. As CCS projects are expected to increase significantly in number and size, it is essential to reduce capital investments and operational costs, and to ensure and provide evidence of safety and environmental integrity. Intensified research and development aimed at enhancing the scientific and technological knowledge base is needed. The demands for enhanced research within Europe will be met via cross-institutional and transnational access to laboratories and facilities coordinated within and between countries. ECCSEL is justified by the pronounced need for a dedicated research environment, striving to close specific knowledge gaps, pushing the forefront of technological development beyond the state-of-the-art, and thereby accelerating the commercialisation and deployment of CCS. ECCSEL will coordinate necessary infrastructure investments thereby reducing overcapacity and cost at a European scale.
By operating a world-class CCS research infrastructure and offering transnational access to conduct research, ECCSEL is enabling researchers to generate substantial knowledge which can lead to new innovative solutions, such as more efficient products, processes and services relating to CCS, and thereby help to address societal challenges especially the issues of climate change and security of energy supply. Innovation is reflected in the stated objective and the scope of specific work packages, as well as in the expected impact statements.
ECCSEL is opening its RI to the full European user community" to enable researchers to make decisive contributions to the grand societal challenges in energy supply and climate change via actions.
Outcome of the project:
• Implemented ECCSEL ERIC as a not-for-profit organisation
• Initiated operations of ECCSEL as a world-class CCS research infrastructure
• Initiated development of the ECCSEL RI to an upgraded common standard
• Established and aligned managerial and organisational procedures for proper handling of initial legal, contractual and operation issues
• Initiated operation and performed research and innovation activities by launching 3 calls for proposals granting access to existing facilities for researchers to carry out experimental work
• Implemented a sustainable business case for ECCSEL by establishing a resilient link with initial stakeholders from the public and private sector
• Implemented the ECCSEL research infrastructure and enhanced its technical architecture to achieve a common standard
• Developed ECCSEL Research Strategy and identified key research challenges and strategic objectives for next 10 years and a 5-year research activity roadmap and a user strategy
• Developed a capacity building programme and provided initial training to prospective users
• Followed the communication strategy and outreach plan to promote ECCSEL, attract users and gain their trust
