Open-access CO₂ data is essential for accelerating CCS deployment

In order to limit the impact of global warming, we urgently need to reduce our CO₂ emissions. Technology for capturing CO₂ at a large scale and then permanently storing it in geological formations deep underground – known as carbon capture and storage (CCS) – can play an important role in meeting our climate goals. An open, international exchange of knowledge and data is essential for accelerating the deployment of CCS as a climate mitigation tool.

• Read more about SINTEF’s research into CCS

Why is access to data important for CCS?

A lack of relevant data has long been a barrier to CCS research and deployment. Luckily, this barrier can easily be overcome by providing open access to well-documented, high-quality data.

Data access helps to accelerate the pace of research and technology development, and facilitates collaboration between researchers and industry experts.

Quality-assured data is crucial for developing and validating commercial models, technology and tools for safe and cost-efficient CCS. Furthermore, open-access data will encourage the development of CCS expertise by strengthening training and education on the topic, especially in countries with limited experience in this area. In short, open-access data benefits the entire CCS community, from researchers to industry, the general public to stakeholders.

What is CO₂ DataShare?

CO₂ DataShare is a digital portal for sharing reference data sets from ongoing and emerging CCS projects.  The portal acts as a simple, standard, and low-cost solution for making CCS data available, free of charge, to interested parties from research, industry or otherwise.

The main criteria for a data set to be included in the portal is data quality and relevance to CCS research and development.

CO₂ DataShare is currently sharing five CO₂ storage data sets and new data sets are being prepared for publication. The data sets and the portal are hosted on the Norwegian national e-infrastructure, managed by Sigma2.

CO₂ DataShare now part of NCCS

The goals of CO₂ DataShare are aligned with those of the Norwegian CCS Research Centre (NCCS), namely to fast-track CCS deployment, therefore, CO₂ Datashare is now financed by and an active part of the Centre.

As part of NCCS, CO₂ DataShare aims to expand the portal to cover data sets from the whole value chain. Until 2023, the focus has been on reference data from CO₂ storage projects. However, we will now also include data from CO₂ capture and transport projects.

CO₂ DataShare at the CLIMIT Summit 2023 If you would like to know more about CO₂ DataShare, or participate in the discussion on how we can leverage CO₂ DataShare for future innovations, join our side event, facilitated by NCCS, on 7 February, at the CLIMIT Summit 2023 in Larvik.