Carbon Storage
Knowledge Sharing
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Outreach Efforts at SECARB's Anthropogenic Test Site in Alabama |
In order to achieve the commercialization of CO2 storage technologies, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) acknowledges that knowledge sharing between various entities is essential. Distribution of the results and lessons learned from both field projects and Core R&D efforts will provide the foundation for future, large-scale CCS field tests across North America and in addressing future challenges associated with public acceptance, infrastructure (pipelines, compressor stations, etc.), and regulatory framework. DOE promotes information and knowledge sharing through various avenues including the Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnerships (RCSP) working groups, development of best-practices manuals, public outreach and education efforts including the NETL Carbon Storage Program website, assistance providing information to those developing carbon capture and storage (CCS) regulations, and through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) CCS Training Centers.
The RCSPs maintain knowledge sharing through the various technical working groups established by DOE/NETL. These groups include experts from each of the seven RCSPs whose objective is to provide a forum for sharing information and developing uniform approaches for contending with common challenges. The RCSP working groups include: (1) Geological and Infrastructure; (2) monitoring, verification, and accounting (MVA); (3) Simulation and Risk Assessment; (4) Capture and Transportation; (5) Geographic Information System (GIS) and Database; (6) Water; and (7) Public Outreach and Education. The working groups also address the need to develop a uniform approach to address a variety of common issues including an organized, national perspective on characterization, validation, and development issues for DOE's Carbon Storage Program. These working groups remain active and are integral to the successful progress of the RCSPs through the Development Phase and the planned field activities.
Best Practices Manuals
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| SWP Presentation on Best Practices Protocols for Geologic CCS Simulation Analysis. |
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The lessons learned throughout the RCSP field tests are being integrated into a series of BPMs on topics such as MVA, site selection and characterization, simulation and risk assessment, understanding impacts of geologic storage classes, well construction and closure, public outreach and education, and terrestrial storage. The first edition of the BPMs will be completed by early 2011 and updated regularly throughout the implementation of the large- and small-scale injection projects and site characterization projects with the lessons learned and updates to regulatory compliance requirements.
Public Outreach and Education for CCS Deployment
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| Physical model demonstration at a Midwest Geologic Sequestration Consortium (MGSC) open house. |
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The Carbon Storage Program also recognizes the importance of conducting public outreach and education in tandem with CO2 storage field tests. Public outreach plays a significant role in any CO2 storage project. As indicated in DOE's "Public Outreach and Education for Carbon Storage Projects" BPM, the primary lesson learned from the RCSPs’ experience is that public outreach should be an integrated component of project management. Conducting effective public outreach will not necessarily ensure project success, but underestimating its importance can contribute to delays, increased costs, and community ill will. Effective public outreach involves listening, sharing information, and addressing concerns through proactive community engagement. The RCSPs continue to engage in the development of an effective regulatory and legal framework for the safe, long-term injection and geologic storage of CO2.
CCS Regulatory Assistance
DOE has worked with many Federal and state agencies to help provide technical information to resolve regulatory issues that have not been addressed for wide-scale deployment of CCS technologies. This includes interacting with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); the U.S. Department of Interior's (DOI) Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement (BOEMRE); DOI's Bureau of Land Management (BLM); the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC); Ground Water Protection Council (GWPC); and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) on issues related to CO2 storage and transport. The objective of these efforts to work with other agencies is to continue to provide results from research that help inform regulatory decision making.
ARRA Training Centers
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MGSC's STEP training courses will bring together CCS experts, engineers, geologists, and communications and trades specialists for knowledge sharing and training. |
While CCS technologies offer great potential for reducing CO2 emissions and mitigating potential climate change, deploying these technologies will require a significantly expanded workforce trained in the various specialties that are currently underrepresented in the United States. The seven Regional Carbon Sequestration Training Centers, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) support the development of professional training classes and academic curricula for scientists, engineers, lawyers, business professionals, and others involved in CCS project development. The training centers will provide instruction on science and the process of planning and operating commercial CCS projects. The goal of these training centers is to become self sustaining and continue the training efforts without Federal funding to ensure that a future CCS workforce will be technically capable when CCS is commercially deployed.
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