Thematic areas and projects

Philip Fosbøl is working with a portfolio of CO2-capture-relevant topics, such as:

• CO2 absorption for emissions reduction.
• Energy optimal solvent based CO2 desorption in relation to reboiling in stripping or rectification.
• CO2 corrosion in energy production and transport.
• CO2 compression with impurities focus.

Philip is the workstream leader for Workstream 1, Chemical CO2 capture: Currently CO2 capture technology in Denmark is developed for small sized CO2 reduction applications. The largest CO2 capture technology users are in the order of 50 Kton/year (0.05 Mt/year). As a short-term goal (2025) this needs to be scaled up to end-users with a demand of 0.5 up to 2 Mt/year. This calls for innovation, allowing for reduced cost of materials, large-scale process equipment, energy efficiency, optimization of land use and considerations towards industrial integration allowing reuse of heat and cyclic application of resources.

Claus Beier has concentrated his research on ecosystem responses to air pollution and climate change - in particular impacts on ecosystem functioning and feedback to the atmosphere.

Claus is the workstream leader for Workstream 2, Biological CO2 Capture and Storage: Natural biological systems capture CO2 by photosynthesis and storage in biomass and ecosystems is an ongoing natural process already contributing to storage of carbon. The storage is strongly affected by land management options such as plant selection, soil and crop management and the end use of the biomass produced. Potentials in increasing and strengthening contributions from biomass storage to the 2030 and 2050 targets in Denmark are significant and include both increased C-uptake (additionality) and stabilization of carbon stored in terrestrial and marine ecosystems (permanence). Danish research and traditions in land and ecosystem management provides a unique basis for improving and increasing carbon storage in biobased systems or materials through targeted management.

Marie Keiding has a background in geophysical monitoring techniques that are needed to secure safe and cost-efficient storage of CO2 in geological formations and is involved in a number of international research projects on geological storage. 

Marie is workstream leader for workstream 3, Geological CO2 Storage: The Danish underground has ample potential for storage of CO2 making it relevant not only to store Danish emissions but also to act as a storage hub for Northern Europe. By planning for large-scale CCUS in Denmark, the unit costs of transportation and storage is more likely to be kept low and thus competitive.

Kim Daasbjerg obtained his PhD in 1993 working on organic electrochemistry at Aarhus University. He achieved a Doctor of Science degree in 2006 and was promoted to Professor at Aarhus University in 2010. In addition to electrochemistry, his expertise includes surface modification tools as applied to the study of polymer brushes, responsive polymers, coatings, and smart hybrid materials. More recently, his research focus has been on electrocatalytic conversion of CO₂ to useful building blocks for the chemical industry and energy sector.

Kim is workstream leader for workstream 4, CO2 Utilisation: CO2 utilisation is expected to be a key element in the carbon cycle to reach the net-zero 2050 target. Even though recycling of materials is expected to be considerably improved, a continuous feed of carbon-based materials is still necessary. The CO2 utilization industry is expected to grow, and Denmark has the potential to become a world leader, exporting knowledge to Europe and abroad.

Tooraj Jamasb has participated on research and consulting projects for the Council of European Energy Regulators, several European energy regulators, energy companies, Ofgem, Department of Energy and Climate Change, and The World Bank.

Tooraj is workstream leader for workstream 5, Society and Systems Analysis: CCUS is a case of installing a new infrastructure system, which may require an inter-sectorial, long-term model for cooperation between public and private stakeholders. Both financial perspectives and business model perspectives are depending on regulatory frameworks, which are not clear at the moment. This adds to uncertainty about viable business models and risk of investment. Efforts to reduce uncertainty will have a positive effect on the willingness to invest and cost of capital in this sector.