Marine robots to ensure integrity at CCS stores

Valued at £1m in the first year, the project being undertaken with partnership with Sonardyne aims to provide assurance that CO₂ stored deep below the seabed in Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) sites is secure.

A consortium of British multi-discipline partners will examine the requirements for the Measurement, Monitoring and Verification (MMV) system.

The project will result in the construction of a technology demonstrator with sea trials; a comprehensive review at the end of the three year period; and a solution to a legislative requirement to monitor potential CO₂ leaks and their effect on the environment.

In a statement, Den Gammer, ETI strategy manager for CCS, said, ‘Progress on the development of a cost-effective, reliable monitoring system for the marine environment above CO₂ storage complexes is another key step in the process of building confidence in a new CCS industry in the UK.

‘Although leakage is highly unlikely we have a duty to ensure that stores are actually protecting the environment and this technology will bring peace of mind to both the operator and the regulator.