Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) represents an important field of research these days. However, the research in Europe is not coordinated and there is a lack of appropriate equipment for conducting research. This is the reason behind the so-called ECCSEL initiative proposed by NTNU and SINTEF, together with partners in Germany, the Netherlands, France, Denmark, Poland, Hungary, Switzerland and Croatia. ECCSEL has quickly reached the list of bigger research infrastructure that the countries of Europe should implement*.
What is particular with ECCSEL is the fact that is does not entail construction of a centralised research laboratory. Instead it focuses on taking advantage of existing and planned laboratory facilities in Europe, with a coordinating centre at NTNU and SINTEF in Trondheim.
In April 2009 the European project group for the ECCSEL initiative arranged a ”kick-off” meeting at the Mission of Norway to the EU, with participation from the European Commission, as well as potential partner institutions.
In the welcome address to the participants, the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research expressed its support to the project. Given that the project group presents a realistic proposal before the end of 2009, the European Commission will be able to support a “preparatory phase” with resources from the 7th framework programme. This has also been done with regards to other projects within the European road map for research infrastructure.
Nils A. Røkke, SINTEF, Brigitte Weiss, Europakommisjonen and professor Arne Bredesen, NTNU. Photo: Bjørn Tore Erdal.
From the "kick off" meeting in Brussels. Photo: Bjørn Tore Erdal.
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* The road map of the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI). The updated roadmap from December 2008 consists of 44 projects, whereas two of them are initiated by Norwegian research institutions: ECCSEL in Trondheim and Svalbard International Arctic Earth Observing System” (SIAEOS) in Longyearbyen and Ny-Ålesund.