Should it be stored, where should it come from, and what should we use it for? Many questions surround the future role of CO2 in the green transition. In several INNO-CCUS projects, researchers from Aalborg University have set out to address these questions by mapping the total Danish carbon capture, utilization, and storage efforts.
The combination of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms will, in the future, have a direct impact on the green transition and energy-related products such as green aviation fuel or agriculture, explains Jakob Zinck Thellufsen, associate professor at the Department of Planning and Development at Aalborg University.
Thellufsen, along with several research colleagues, is part of a series of projects looking at the future of CO2 in the Danish, European, and global energy systems.
“In short, our work is about supporting our politicians, companies, and authorities in making the right decisions. It all begins now, especially concerning CO2’s new role in society, so it’s about being ready from the start,” says Jakob Zinck Thellufsen and continues:
“We want to create an overview for all parties working with CO2 as a field, somewhat like a GIS map that many are probably familiar with from their municipality – a comprehensive overview where you can zoom in on something specific. There is already a lot of information about point sources, storage options, and usage, for example, for green fuels. What we want is to map it all out in a comprehensive overview,” says Jakob Zinck Thellufsen.
The balance in 2045 and 2050
Research into the future CO2 landscape from Aalborg University is part of the INNO-CCUS partnership, supported by Innovation Fund Denmark. Jakob Zinck Thellufsen’s team is involved in projects such as “Large Scale Integration of Carbon Capture in Energy Systems” and “CCUS-Infrastructures”, both of which focus on developing Denmark’s competencies in CCUS – capturing, utilising, and storing CO2.
“For CCUS to be successful and contribute effectively to the green transition towards 2045 and 2050, it requires more than technological solutions. We need to ensure the necessary economic, legal, and political frameworks, and we need support from the population. Therefore, we are proud to support projects like CCUS Infrastructures, which paves the way for a coordinated effort and focus on necessary societal aspects,” says Karina M. Søgaard, Partnership Director for INNO-CCUS.
According to Jakob Zinck Thellufsen, he and his colleagues at Aalborg University are currently operating based on three main questions about CO2.
“We’re examining the amounts, the infrastructure, and Denmark’s role in relation to other countries. Over the next three to four years, for example, we’ll be looking at the possibility of transporting CO2. Should it go through pipelines or by trucks – or perhaps both – when it needs to move around? An important question regarding other countries is also whether we should accept a lot of CO2 for storage in the Danish subsurface from other countries,” says Jakob Zinck Thellufsen.
“We’re currently working on the overview and the narrative about CO2 that it yields. We look forward to delving deeper into the research of the field, which will have a huge impact on the green transition and thus also our energy system,” he says.
More about innovation projects and INNO-CCUS
The innovation project “Large Scale Integration of Carbon Capture in Energy Systems” is supported by the Innovation Fund with 2.9 million Danish kroner as part of the INNO-CCUS partnership. The total budget for the project is 3.5 million Danish kroner, and the partnership consists of Aalborg University, En2Save, and Greenport North. The project ends in 2026.
The CCUS-Infrastructures project is also part of the INNO-CCUS partnership and has received support of 3.2 million Danish kroner. The process involves Aalborg University, Ørsted, and Total Energies and has a total budget of 4.4 million Danish kroner. CCUS-Infrastructures ends in 2027.
INNO-CCUS is one of four mission-driven green research and innovation partnerships aimed at making Denmark a green frontrunner.
Read more about other INNO-CCUS projects HERE
