Korea’s largest grouping of CCS researchers has signed strategic agreements with Australia‘s leading CCS research group, Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Technologies (CO2CRC) and Helmholtz Centre Postdam GFZ German Research Cenre for Geosciences (GFZ), that will see scientists from these countries work together to develop technologies for reducing carbon dioxide emissions from power generation and industry.
As well as creating a framework for a joint program of research, it will also enable the flow of knowledge between the two institutes and provide training opportunities for researchers from all three countries.
Dr. Sang-Do Park, Director of KCRC, said: “Recognizing the importance of CCS for the solution to climate change, the Korean government, as well as developed countries, makes significant investment to develop advanced CCS technologies. Being at the core of the Korean government’s CCS project, KCRC is strengthening international collaboration and networking. I am happy to get these MoUs of CO2CRC-KCRC and GFZ-KCRC to establish the framework for CCS cooperation. Based on these MoUs, I look forward to promoting cooperation with CO2CRC and GFZ on innovative CCS technologies.”
Professor Barry Hooper, a chief technologist CO2CRC and a professor in University of Melbourne, said: “It is a pleasure to have the opportunity to build on our links with South Korea and establish a formal MoU with KCRC. International cooperation is an essential aspect for the successful deployment of CCS worldwide, and there are clear opportunities for fruitful joint research between KCRC and CO2CRC.”
In addition, “CCS still faces some challenges including the high cost and energy penalty and while costs are likely to come down as we improve our understanding and optimization of the technology. other industrial purposes of CO2 will be important to our development pathway. KCRC will be a valued partner of GFZ and we look forward to strengthening our engagement with institute and building on the great work already being done.” Dr. Sonja Martens, a manager in Centre for Geological Storage CGS Project Management Ketzin, said.
Professor Dr. Barry Hooper and Dr. Sonja Martens who participated in the MoU signing ceremony on Wednesday Jeju Island, South Korea, made a presentation at the technical sessions and a keynote speech at the plenary sessions in the 4th Korea CCS International Conference, held during 24-26 Feb., respectively, the annually international showcase of work already under way on CO2 capture and storage technologies. The international-level conference was attended by around 500 delegates, highlighting the value being attached to the future role of CCS in the country’s energy sector.
The two MoUs are the first such agreement to be signed between South Korean and Australian CCS researchers and between South Korean and German CCS researchers. The two MoUs will run for five years, with the potential to extend the collaboration.