The UK Carbon Capture and Storage Research Community Network+ (UKCCSRC) has awarded funding to 13 cutting-edge projects through their Flexible Funding 2023 call, including a Brunel-led project to help make sure injected carbon dioxide remains securely stored in the intended geological reservoir.
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is essential for achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions and avoiding dangerous climate change. Research to make the technology more effective, safer and cheaper is constantly taking place in universities, businesses and research facilities around the UK.
For Dr Lee Hosking, Lecturer in Geo-energy Engineering at Brunel University London, it’s an exciting time to be involved in CCS research. “There seems to finally be a critical mass and sense of urgency to get things done, especially in the UK,” he said. And he is passionate about preventing the climate crisis, adding that his research on CCS lets him apply his dual passions for climate action and environmental engineering.
Dr Hosking’s C-WELL project, which will receive funding from the UKCCSRC, focuses on the integrity of CO2 injection wells: where carbon dioxide is stored away underground for the long term, to reduce emissions to the atmosphere.
“The 9-month project will provide new knowledge on how we can expect injection wells to stand up to somewhat unique challenges such as high pressure, low temperature, periodic CO2 injection,” he explained. “Crucially, this will account for damage evolution of initial defects in both new and existing, repurposed wells. We will ultimately work with our industry partners to help improve injection well engineering and CO2 storage risk assessment for improved decision making.”
The UKCCSRC supports, strengthens and integrates the UK carbon capture and storage community. Created in 2012, it is funded by the Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and based at the University of Sheffield.
Professor Jon Gibbins, UKCCSRC Director, said: “This UKCCSRC Flexible Funding round will be tackling a wide range of projects suggested by the needs of the UK's growing CCS deployment sector. As this call was well-subscribed, and there is clearly a major opportunity for us to help build UK CCS wealth-creation capacity in CCS using this route, the UKCCSRC, with its proven track record of rapid and effective project procurement and funding, is actively seeking additional funds for future calls.”
A total of £365,102 was awarded to the projects, which all support the UK Government’s net-zero objectives.
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