The key areas of cooperation identified under the MOU include: the promotion of technical and non-technical cooperation; encouraging further research, development and demonstration projects; developing industrial and academic networks; and promoting greater cooperation on CCS both within China, and internationally.

“The potential for deploying CCS in China is considerable given China’s large fossil energy use, significant coal reserves and coal-based industries” said Brad Page, CEO of the Global CCS Institute.

“Today’s MOU signing signifies a concrete step in fostering closer cooperation between the DCC-NDRC and the Global CCS Institute and provides the framework for the delivery of future key joint initiatives,” he said.

A two-day course on CO2 Storage and Enhanced Oil Recovery is being held in conjunction with the MOU Signing Ceremony, marking the first joint initiative under the MOU.

“China attaches great importance to addressing the climate challenge and CCS can be an important tool for controlling and reducing carbon emissions. China attaches great importance to the demonstration and deployment of CCS technologies,” said Su Wei, Director General of DCC-NDRC.

“CCS still faces some challenges including the high cost and energy penalty and while costs are likely to come down as we improve our understanding and optimisation of the technology, the utilisation of CO2 for EOR and other industrial purposes will be important to our development pathway,” Su added.

NDRC is China’s lead governmental body responsible for formulating and implementing strategies of national economic and social development, including addressing climate change and developing CCS. DCC-NDRC joined the Global CCS Institute on behalf of the Government of the People’s Republic of China as a Foundation Member in 2008 and formalised their membership by signing on as a Legal Member in 2010. >>more

source: Projects / Policy, Mar  23  2012 (Carbon Capture Journal)