CO2 capture plant unveiled

Thursday 16 March 2006

The world’s largest facility for demonstrating the technology of carbon dioxide (CO2) capture from conventional power stations has been opened in Denmark this week. The plant, at Elsam power station, will be used on a pilot basis to test the viability and performance of the technique, which could result in near-zero emissions from fossil fuel-based energy generation.

The technique works by capturing carbon emissions as they are produced and storing them underground, before they can interact with the atmosphere. It is suitable for integration with coal power stations and oil refineries.

The CASTOR project will enable scientists to gain a better understanding of carbon capture and storage, and further development of the technology. The Elsam-based plant was developed with the support of the EU’s Research Framework Programme, and represents the first practical stage of the Commission’s long-term aims for the technology.

“The European Commission is committed to a low-carbon future,” began European Science and Research Commissioner Janez Potoènik. “The research policy of today is the energy policy of tomorrow, which is why projects like CASTOR have such an important contribution to make. By developing technologies for carbon capture and storage, we can reduce emissions in the medium-term as we move to large scale use of renewable, carbon-free energy sources.”

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