Introduction
The Minister for Resources and Energy called on the state and territory governments to nominate projects for consideration under the Carbon Capture and Storage Flagships (CCS Flagships) program in May 2009. The CCS Flagships program is part of the Government’s $4.5 billion Clean Energy Initiative announced in the 2009 Budget. The CCS Flagships builds on the National Low Emissions Coal Initiative, which includes research, demonstration, mapping and infrastructure elements, and the Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute (GCCSI)
, which includes support for industrial-scale CCS projects world-wide.
The program’s objective is to support the construction and demonstration of large-scale integrated carbon capture and storage projects in Australia to support the widespread deployment of CCS technology from 2020. The Government has consulted with the National Low Emissions Coal Council in the development and implementation of the program.
Project funding under the CCS Flagships Program is subject to a competitive process with the intention to fund 2 to 4 projects across a range of capture technologies and storage geologies. Based on advice from the National Low Emissions Coal Council indicative priorities include:
- Multi-user infrastructure - development of storage sites in a high-emission region, with pipeline infrastructure to support the transport of CO2 from regional emission sources.
- Integrated Capture and Storage - projects that demonstrate technologies and geologies for capture and storage of CO2 from coal-fired power stations. Capture technologies may include coal gasification, post-combustion capture and oxy-firing.
CCS Flagship projects are expected to be industrial scale demonstrations that will contribute to the overall target of 1,000MW of low emissions fossil fuel power generation. However, other industrial scale CCS demonstrations may also be considered. These Australian CCS flagship projects will contribute to the aim of the GCCSI to have at least 20 CCS projects operational globally by 2020.
CCS Flagships Program Guidelines
To assist with the nomination of projects under the CCS Flagships program, program guidelines including project selection criteria were circulated to state and territory governments and the Australian Coal Association Low Emissions Technology Ltd.
CCS Flagships Program Guidelines
[PDF, 93KB] include an overview of the CCS Flagships program, together with an outline of the selection process, eligibility criteria, funding arrangements and contact details to assist the nomination of projects for consideration under the program. Projects can only be nominated by state and territory governments and nominations had to be received by 14 August 2009. On 13 August an amendment to the Guidelines[PDF, 268KB] was issued. The amendment serves to clarify the process for assessing the research infrastructure component of proposals and the level of information required to support CCS Flagship program nominations.
Proponents of nominated projects, can download an associated Guide to Applicants
[DOC, 53KB]. Education Investment Fund round 3 guidelines relevant to the research infrastructure component of the nominated projects are available at Education Investment Fund Website
The Department has engaged Clayton Utz to act as probity adviser for the Carbon Capture and Storage Flagship and the Solar Flagship programs.
CCS Flagship Project Selection
Nominated projects under the CCS Flagships program are being assessed by an Independent Assessment Panel supported by technical and commercial experts. The Minister for Resources and Energy has approved a six member panel which comprises:
- Mr Keith Spence (Chair), National Mapping and Carbon Storage Taskforce Chair
- Mr Dick Wells, National Low Emissions Coal Council Chair
- Ms Sabine Schleicher, KPMG
- Mr Bill Koppe, Global CCS Institute
- Mr John Ryan, National Research Infrastructure Council Chair
- Mr Peter Lake, Petroleum industry consultant.
The Australian Government plans to announce successful Flagship projects based on the recommendations of the IAP in the second half of 2010.