That is the question at the heart of Technofix, a new podcast hosted by journalist Kaare Svejstrup and INNO-CCUS Director Karina Marie Søgaard. Through conversations with researchers, companies and other experts, the podcast explores the opportunities and challenges of developing and scaling CCUS technologies.

“Technology alone will not solve the climate crisis. But neither will we solve it without technology. With Technofix, we want to explore what it takes for promising CCUS technologies to move from research and pilot projects to solutions that can make a real difference,” says Karina Marie Søgaard.

The first three episodes feature guests from INEOS and Climeworks. Together, they discuss topics including CO₂ storage, Direct Air Capture and the challenges of making new CCUS technologies scalable and commercially viable.

Technofix is available on Spotify and other major podcast platforms.

Appointed by the Board of Directors based on nominations from INNO-CCUS partners, the board brings together expertise from across the CCUS value chain. The establishment of the board reflects a broader shift within INNO-CCUS from a focus on individual technology areas towards a stronger focus on the value chains that enable CCUS solutions to create climate impact.

The board will serve as an expert sparring partner to the Board of Directors and Secretariat, helping to identify emerging opportunities and challenges and providing strategic input on developments within the CCUS field in Denmark and internationally. The members have been appointed for the period June 2026 to June 2028.

Members of the INNO-CCUS Expert Advisory Board

• Dorette Müller-Stöver, Associate Professor at University of Copenhagen
• Frantz Bræstrup, Senior Team Leader at FORCE Technology
• Jacob Ladenburg, Professor and Head of Section at DTU Management
• Niels Hemmingsen Schovsbo, Senior Researcher at GEUS
• Philip Loldrup Fosbøl, Professor at DTU Chemical Engineering
• Thomas Helmer Pedersen, Professor at Aalborg University
• Tobias Pape Thomsen, Associate Professor at Roskilde University (RUC)
• Kim Daasbjerg, Professor at Aarhus University

However, to make a substantial contribution to the fight against climate change, there is a pressing need to improve the efficiency, scalability and cost-effectiveness CCUS technologies. That makes research and innovation essential – and calls for a clearer understanding of how the field is evolving in Denmark.

To meet that need, INNO-CCUS has now published the second edition of State of CCUS. The publication presents an overview of active research and innovation projects across the country, providing a snapshot of where progress is happening and where opportunities are emerging.

“To accelerate the green transition, we need a clear picture of where we stand – and where the momentum is building. This publication offers a comprehensive overview of Danish CCUS efforts, helping you navigate the field, discover new opportunities, and connect with the people and projects shaping the future of climate solutions”, says Karina Marie Søgaard, Partnership Director of INNO-CCUS.

Further, the publication is an important part of INNO-CCUS’s mission-driven work in advancing CCUS to contribute to Denmark’s climate goals. The mapping of research and innovation in Denmark helps create a shared overview of the field and provides a stronger foundation for strategic decision-making across the CCUS ecosystem.

“By showing where research is concentrated, which technologies are emerging, and who is driving the work forward, the publication helps identify knowledge gaps and guide future efforts and investments that will shape the next generation of CCUS solutions,” says Søgaard.

Find the second edition of State of CCUS and the accompanying digital platform here.

In this webinar, three researchers present key insights on the future role of CCUS in Denmark’s energy system:

Agenda:
Storylines for CCUS in 2045/2050 – Iva Ridjan Skov
Mapping of CO₂ point sources – Steffen Nielsen
Energy modelling of CCUS – Meng Yuan

In a recent Tech Talk hosted by Energy Cluster Denmark, Professor Henrik I. Petersen (GEUS) presented some of the latest findings—showing that, under the right conditions, biochar can remain stable for millions of years, far longer than many existing models assume. Watch the recording below.

As part of the project, Aalborg Portland, in collaboration with its partners, will develop, construct, and operate a CO2 capture plant, expected to achieve an annual CO2e reduction of 1.5 million tons from 2030. This means that the ACCSION project and the new plant will deliver the largest single CO2 reduction in Denmark’s history, making a significant contribution to the country’s national climate targets.

Mission-Driven Projects Have Provided Valuable Experience
Aalborg Portland is a partner in INNO-CCUS, one of the Danish Innovation Fund’s four mission-driven partnerships aimed at accelerating the green transition.

INNO-CCUS brings together key stakeholders in the CCUS sector to develop technologies for capturing, storing, and utilising carbon resources. Two projects under this partnership have contributed to securing the significant new EU investment for Aalborg Portland. Since 2021, the Innovation Fund has invested approximately DKK 354 million in the INNO-CCUS partnership, including funding for roadmap development and research and innovation projects.

“Since 2020, Aalborg Portland has been actively developing its CO2 capture and storage project. A significant contribution has come from the two INNO-CCUS projects, CORT and CASPER, where pilot plants for CO2 capture from Aalborg Portland’s cement production have been set up. These projects have provided valuable experience in operating CO2 capture facilities. At the same time, they have demonstrated to the EU Aalborg Portland’s expertise in CO2 capture,” says Jesper Sand Damtoft, Director of Sustainability at Cementir Holding N.V., Aalborg Portland’s parent company, and Chairman of the Board of INNO-CCUS.

“Other projects based on INNO-CCUS’s roadmap also support full-scale CO2 capture at Aalborg Portland. This particularly applies to projects that explore storage possibilities for CO2 in Denmark’s underground,” adds Jesper Sand Damtoft.Success for Green

Technology Development
Denmark’s four green mission partnerships are guided by individual roadmaps, ensuring that all stakeholders and research and innovation efforts within each mission work towards the same goals.

INNO-CCUS’s roadmap provides a detailed overview of developments, opportunities, and strategic directions Denmark should follow to realize the potential of CCUS technologies. The roadmap maps out the latest breakthroughs in CCUS technologies and outlines clear strategies for scaling them up so that Denmark can achieve its climate ambitions by 2050.

“It is a remarkable success that Aalborg Portland has secured EU funding for large-scale CO2 capture. The fact that the INNO-CCUS partnership and the Innovation Fund have contributed to this success is a strong testament to the value created when we align efforts and work mission-oriented,” says Søren Asp Mikkelsen, Deputy Director of the Innovation Fund.

About the ACCSION Project
The upcoming CO2 capture plant will capture 1.4 million tons of CO2 annually while utilizing excess heat from the capture process to supply district heating in Aalborg—equivalent to heating approximately 19,100 households per year. This will result in an additional 100,000 tons of CO2 reductions annually.

With the ACCSION project, Aalborg Portland will establish one of the first fully integrated onshore CCS value chains in Europe. Additionally, the project will be among the first to capture CO2 from two separate production units (from both the grey and white cement production lines) in a single process. The captured CO2 will be transported via pipeline to a new onshore storage facility, creating a cost-effective and scalable solution for the cement industry.

Aalborg Portland has allocated 50,000 square meters for the CO2 capture plant, which will be one of the largest CCS facilities in Europe.

A team of researchers and engineers from Aarhus University, BlueNord, DTU Offshore, Nordsøfonden, and TotalEnergies is addressing this challenge through the CORROPro innovation project. They have developed a coating for steel structures based on nanofilament technology, which protects pipelines and other costly infrastructure from corrosion.

“We hope this technology can extend the lifespan of pipelines by several decades, significantly reducing costs associated with CO₂ infrastructure,” says Tobias Weidner, project leader for CORROPro and associate professor at Aarhus University’s Department of Chemistry.

“Our laboratory tests show very promising results, with tests in clean water reducing corrosion by up to 99.1%, while also reducing scale buildup by 75%. We believe this technology has strong potential to protect pipelines during the transport of CO₂-rich water in the future,” adds Weidner.

Learning from nature

Nanofilament is a relatively new technology inspired by the unique structures on the skin of springtails – tiny arthropods that thrive in moist environments. These creatures have a remarkable ability to repel water, thanks to their skin, which is covered with microscopic hairs and nanostructures that naturally resist liquid contact.

This technology is already used in industries such as pharmaceuticals and electronics, where its water-repellent properties protect delicate surfaces from moisture and liquids. In the CORROPro project, nanofilament technology has been further developed to protect steel structures in CO₂ infrastructure. It prevents corrosion and calcification, which can otherwise degrade pipeline performance and reduce their lifespan.

“When CO₂ is mixed with water to facilitate transport, it creates an acidic environment that corrodes the steel in pipelines. At the same time, calcification builds up, which can block pipes and reduce their performance. Our nanofilament coating acts as an effective barrier against both problems, significantly extending the lifespan of pipelines,” explains Weidner.

Advancing from Research to Application
CORROPro is anchored in the INNO-CCUS partnership, which focuses on advancing technologies for CO₂ capture, storage, and utilization through targeted research and innovation. After promising laboratory results in clean water, the CORROPro team now plans to test the nanofilament coating in more realistic conditions, where CO₂ and water are combined, to evaluate its effectiveness in complex environments.

At INNO-CCUS, CORROPro is seen as an important step toward developing solutions that can strengthen the future CO₂ infrastructure and make it more economically sustainable.

“Infrastructure is a key element in establishing a CO₂ capture and storage industry that can support Denmark’s ambitious climate goals. The promising results from CORROPro demonstrate how research can deliver solutions that make CO₂ infrastructure both durable and economically viable,” says Karina Søgaard, Partnership Director at INNO-CCUS.

“We look forward to following the further development of the technology as it moves toward practical testing, bringing us closer to realizing its full potential. These steps will be crucial in ensuring that the technology can play a central role in the future CO₂ infrastructure,” she adds.

Denmark’s membership will be anchored in INNO-CCUS, and Vice-Chairman of the Board, Lasse Rosendahl, sees great potential in joining the infrastructure:

“Becoming a member of ECCSEL ERIC is an exciting opportunity to strengthen the pathway from research to application, accelerating the scale-up of CCUS technologies. It provides access to world-class facilities while also giving us a seat at the table within the world’s largest CCUS research infrastructure, ensuring that Danish interests are represented in shaping the future of CCUS.”

As a member of ECCSEL, Denmark joins existing countries France, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, and the United Kingdom. Denmark contributes  with access to research infrastructure at four key institutions: Aalborg University (AAU Energy), Aarhus University, the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), and the Danish Technological Institute.

The projects selected through these calls will play a crucial role in driving innovation and fostering collaboration, advancing CCUS development in alignment with the priorities outlined in the Danish CCUS Roadmap.

The calls will remain open for three months, closing on 28 May 2025 at 12 pm, giving applicants time to refine their proposals, build cross-sector partnerships, and submit their applications. More detailed information, including specific guidelines and requirements, will be made available when the calls officially open.

Key Dates

• Calls open: 28 February 2025, 12 pm
• Calls close: 28 May 2025, 12 pm

Funding Overview

• Pool 3: Pioneering research and innovative solutions for carbon capture, utilisation, and storage.
  Funding available: Approx. DKK 50 Mio.
• Pool 4: Achieving Climate Goals through targeted CCUS innovation.
  Funding available: Approx. DKK 70 Mio.

• LSICC: Large Scale Integration of Carbon Capture in Energy Systems
  Investigates large-scale carbon capture, including both point source capture and DAC, with a focus on geographical mapping of carbon capture opportunities and their alignment with Denmark’s energy infrastructure, such as district heating and electricity grids. The project aims to evaluate strategies for carbon capture deployment and develop roadmaps for effective integration within Denmark’s energy system.
• eDAC: Large Scale Integration of DAC in Energy Systems
  Focused on integrating Direct Air Capture (DAC) technologies into energy systems, this project combines thermodynamic modelling and energy system analysis. Its aim is to assess DAC technologies’ feasibility, performance, and system integration, providing recommendations for stakeholders on efficiently incorporating DAC into existing and future energy infrastructures.

Watch the webinar below to learn more about these projects and their contributions to understanding and mapping DAC’s potential in Denmark.