International collaboration on capture, storage and utilisation of greenhouse gases

Abstract

Climate change will have world-wide implications. So it is highly appropriate that there should be international collaboration to investigate technologies for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases, the root cause of the problem. Sixteen countries, as well as three industrial sponsors, support the IEA Greenhouse Gas R&D Programme and, in many cases, industry is also involved indirectly, through the national memberships. This provides a broad range of interest and expertise to guide the management of the Programme, as well as ensuring that the results reach a wide audience. The IEA Greenhouse Gas R&D Programme has three main activities: (1) evaluation of technologies for mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions from use of fossil fuels; (2) dissemination of the results of these studies; (3) identification of targets for research, development and demonstration and promotion of these findings. In its first five years of operation, the Programme has studied the major greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide and methane, and various means of reducing their emissions. The main emphasis has been placed on capture, storage and utilisation of CO 2 from power generation. This option is now much better understood and can be compared with more established measures, such as fuel switching, energy efficiency improvements and use of renewable energy. As well as studying abatement of CO 2 emissions, the Programme has conducted a series of studies of technologies for reducing CH 4 emissions from man-made sources. The Programme's activities are carried out by the Operating Agent, who develops and manages a series of technical studies to meet members' requirements. These studies are carried out by expert contractors, selected by competitive tendering. By these means, the members of the Programme gain access to valuable and topical information at moderate cost. The Programme has so far carried out about 40 separate evaluation studies. These have highlighted some key questions, which must be answered in order to enable application of CO 2 sequestration techniques. For example, important issues concern the prediction of the performance and environmental impact of CO 2 storage. To improve knowledge of such matters will involve practical investigations. International collaboration on practical research, development and demonstration will form an increasingly important part of the IEA Greenhouse Gas R&D Programme in future.