Washington, DC - U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced more than $8.4 million in funding to develop regional sequestration technology training projects. The seven projects will facilitate the transfer of knowledge and technologies required for site development, operations, and monitoring of commercial carbon capture and storage projects.

Today's funding, which includes $6.9 million from DOE as part of the Recovery Act, will advance the United States in its position as the leader in technology for addressing climate change and for developing near-zero emission technologies to significantly reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from power plants.

"These projects will train workers for a clean energy economy and help position the United States as a leader in carbon capture and storage technologies for years to come," said Secretary Chu.

The training activities will focus on the applied engineering and science of carbon capture and storage for site developers, geologists, engineers, and technicians, providing a technology transfer platform for CO2 sequestration. The selected awards will produce the workforce necessary for the CCS industry with skills and competencies in geology, geophysics, geomechanics, geochemistry and reservoir engineering disciplines. The projects selected successfully addressed five activity areas:

  • Implement an Organized Sponsorship Development Program - development of a self-sustained long term technology program, without federal government support
  • Short Courses on CCS Technologies - work with experts in the field to identify and develop training materials for professionals
  • Regional Training--Outreach and Networking - conduct training of carbon capture and storage technologies
  • Perform Regional/Basin Technology Transfer Services - transfer technology with various outreach materials and coordination of regional/basin efforts
  • Plan and Manage the Recipient's Regional Program

The total funding value of the projects is approximately $8.47 million over three years. The work will be managed by the Office of Fossil Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory. The projects selected under today's announcement include:

Regional Sequestration Technology Training Projects:

  • Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois (Champaign, IL)--Create the Midwest Geological Sequestration Consortium Sequestration Technology Training Center. Training will utilize a modular multi-track approach allowing different professional participants to customize individual programs. Training will benefit the Illinois Basin region by providing curriculum, outreach, and networking on five focal areas for carbon sequestration technology development. DOE share: $994,991; duration: 36 months.
  • Environmental Outreach and Stewardship (EOS) Alliance(Seattle, WA) --Facilitate development of a carbon capture and sequestration workforce through regional CO2 sequestration technology training in the northwest, focusing on 12 - 14 key topics related to long-term underground CO2 storage. EOS will implement an organized sponsorship program; develop short courses on CCS technologies; provide regional training, outreach and networking; perform regional technology transfer services; and plan and manage the regional program. Courses will also cover the intricacies of storage in basalts since they are found in the region. DOE share: $995,000; duration: 36 months.
  • New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (Socorro, NM) --Develop the Southwestern U.S. Geologic CO2 Sequestration Training Center. A holistic approach will be utilized to conduct outreach and training for current professionals, inclusive of industry, non-governmental organizations, the general public and media. The training will also engage students at all levels in life, from K-12 to college students, and provide training and tools to secondary education teachers. DOE share: $994,219; duration: 36 months.
  • Petroleum Technology Transfer Council (Tulsa, OK)--PTTC Regional Technology Training Program will focus on the development and delivery of technology training for the Permian Basin. Multiple methods to transfer knowledge include regional workshops, an extended CCS course, research-oriented workshop, online certificate program, and webinars/e-symposia. DOE share: $994,998; duration: 36 months.
  • Southern States Energy Board (SSEB) (Norcross, GA)--The Southeast Regional CO2 Sequestration Technology Training Program will develop short courses on CCS technologies, participate in regional training and other activities through outreach and networking, and perform internet-based and electronic regional/basin technology transfer services. The training will address the most promising sequestration options in the southeast region; various sources of CO2; regional transportation infrastructure; and legal, regulatory and institutional frameworks. DOE share: $994,368; duration: 36 months.
  • The University of Texas at Austin (Austin, TX)--Create an alliance for Sequestration Training, Outreach, Research and Education (STORE), as part of the Gulf Coast Carbon Center, to promote the transfer of scientific knowledge and applied engineering technologies related to CO2 storage in the Gulf Coast region. The focus will be on four primary objectives needed for emerging CCS industry in the Gulf region including sequestration workforce training, public outreach, research and technology dissemination, and workforce pipeline education. DOE share: $994,702; duration: 36 months.
  • University of Wyoming (Laramie, WY) -- Develop the Wyoming CCS Technology Institute (WCTI) to implement training and technology transfer in the Wyoming and Rocky Mountain regions. The WCTI will utilize an industry-wide model to train a professional workforce; provide pathways for graduates and professionals from allied fields; and create a vehicle for communicating regional CCS knowledge and technology within the growing industry. DOE share: $994,910; duration: 36 months.

 

 

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