Carbon Capture and Storage

You’ve heard about it, now see it for yourself.
The Government of Alberta is investing $2B in Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) to help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This emerging technology is being pursued and implemented around the world.  Alberta’s investment leads the way and sets a standard for development of large, commercial scale projects.
Albertans have many questions about CCS because it currently isn’t being used on a large scale.
Thanks to the world of animation, the what, where, when, why and how’s of the technology can now experienced.
Have a look. 
Full Video - Chapter 1 Why CCS? Chapter 2 How CCS works Chapter 3 CCS around the world

For full details on the funding and CCS, read more in the news release (July 2008) and the CCS Fact Sheet.

Applicants whose projects most closely fit with the program’s objectives were asked to submit a Full Project Proposal (FPP) by March 31, 2009.  A list of applicants who submitted a FPP  is available here.  Details on the Full Project Proposal process are available.
A list and brief description of the three projects moving on to the next phase is now available.
The first round of commercial scale projects is expected to achieve annual carbon dioxide reductions by 2015 equivalent to taking approximately one-million vehicles, or about a third of all registered vehicles in the province, off of the road. 
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is a process that captures carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and stores them in geological formations deep inside of the earth.
Carbon capture and storage technology involves capturing carbon dioxide emissions from industrial sources and transporting them by pipeline to sites where they are injected into deep rock formations for permanent storage. Alberta’s energy industry has been injecting carbon dioxide into depleted oil fields to enhance oil recovery for more than 20 years.

News Release - Alberta receives prestigious award for carbon capture and storage (March 23, 2009)  The Aspen Institute, based in the United States, is awarding Alberta with a prestigious 2009 Energy and Environment Award for this carbon capture and storage initiative. 

Alberta Carbon Capture and Storage Development Council

On April 24, 2008 the Government of Alberta announced the membership of the new Alberta Carbon Capture and Storage Development Council. The council will develop Alberta’s plan to move ahead with carbon capture and storage projects in our province in the spring of 2009.

Accelerating Carbon Capture and Storage in Alberta, Interim Report (Alberta Carbon Capture and Storage Development Council) - October 22, 2008

The council’s work will help Alberta achieve the goals outlined in its Climate Change Strategy as well as follow up on the report of the federal-provincial ecoENERGY Carbon Capture and Storage Task Force.

Council members from industry, academia and government were selected for their proven track record implementing of large-scale projects and innovative technologies.

The Council is NOT involved in determining which demonstration projects are selected for funding.

Chairman
Jim Carter, former president Syncrude Canada Ltd.

Government of Alberta
Len Webber, Parliamentary Assistant, Alberta Energy
Peter Watson, Deputy Minister, Alberta Energy
Jim Ellis, Deputy Minister, Alberta Environment

Government of Canada
Michael Horgan, Deputy Minister, Environment Canada
Cassie Doyle, Deputy Minister, Natural Resources Canada

Industry
Don Lowry, Epcor
Roger Thomas, Nexen Inc.
Steve Williams, Suncor Energy
Bill Andrew, Penn West Energy Trust
Dave Collyer, Shell Canada,
Kathy Sendall, Petro-Canada
Art Meyer, Enbridge
John Brannan, EnCana

Education, Research
Dr. Mike Percy, University of Alberta
Dr. David Keith, University of Calgary

Inquiries about the Alberta Carbon Capture  and Storage Development council can be emailed to devcouncil@albertacarboncapture.ca

Related links

Council to help develop Alberta’s path forward on carbon capture April 24, 2008 (Energy)
Governments of Canada and Alberta release Carbon Capture and Storage Task Force report January 31, 2008 (Energy and Natural Resources Canada)
Report - ecoENERGY Carbon Capture and Storage Task Force
Alberta to cut projected emissions by 50 per cent under new climate change plan January 24, 2008 (Environment)