ROMA (ITALPRESS) – Today, at the headquarters of the National Research Council in Rome, the study day “CCS and Carbon Mineral Storage: research, industry and climate neutrality policies”, organized by the Department of Earth System Science and Environment Technologies (Cnr-Dsstta) by the Institute of geosciences and georisors (Cnr-Igg).
The event focuses on the debate as the challenge of climate neutrality also passes by the ability to structurally reduce CO2 emissions from the most difficult industrial sectors to decarbonize. In this sense, Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) technologies are today recognized as strategic levers for achieving climate goals in the medium and long term. In particular, Carbon Mineral Storage, or CO2 mining seizure, is one of the most promising solutions for permanent and safe carbon storage.
“The energy transition requires an integrated approach based on science, innovation and coherent public policies,” said Andrea Lenzi. “With renewable sources and energy efficiency, technologies such as the capture and storage of CO2 are indispensable tools to accompany the production system towards climate neutrality, ensuring industrial competitiveness and environmental protection,” he continued.
“The CNR is strongly committed to research on CO2 capture, transport and storage processes,” said Francesco Petracchini, Director of the Earth System Science Department and Environment Technologies (Cnr-Dstta). “The goal is to provide solid scientific bases to support national and European policies and to promote technology transfer to the industrial system.”.
The day opened with a keynote international lecture by Sandra Osk Snaebjornsdottir, Chief Scientist of Carbfix, a world-leading reality in the field of carbon mineral storage. Carbfix’s participation is part of the framework agreement for scientific collaboration concluded by the CNR at the end of 2024, aimed at developing CO2 mining seizure solutions in Italy.
Among other speakers, the Director of the Institute of Geoscience and Georisorse (Cnr-Igg) Andrea Dini added that: “The Carbon Mineral Storage allows you to transform CO2 into stable minerals through accelerated natural reactions. This is a particularly interesting approach because it guarantees permanent storage, minimizing the risks of release over time.”.
On the same line Chiara Boschi, researcher of the Cnr-Igg and among the scientific organizers of the event: “The mining seizure opens concrete scenarios for industrial applications in Italy, exploiting favourable geological contexts and integrating with existing production chains. The research of the CNR aims to assess the feasibility, safety and sustainability of these processes.”.
In addition, representatives of the main national institutions participated in the event, with the contribution of the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE), ISPRA and ENEA, together with the European research infrastructure ECCSEL ERIC, for a comparison of strategies, policies and technological developments in the field of CCS and CCUS.
There are also large industrial companies, energy operators and waste management, innovative start-ups, researchers and researchers . A central moment was represented by the round table at 15.30 “The role of energy companies and waste management in CCS and prospects for the Carbon Mineral Storage”, moderated by journalist Maurizio Melis and with the involvement of industrial realities such as CARBFIX, ENI, SNAM, Saipem, Heidelberg Materials and HERA, designed to foster an open dialogue, strengthen synergy between the players of the supply chain and act as a flywheel.
The initiative offered a qualified comparison of CCS and CCUS technologies, national and European decarbonization policies and the development prospects of Carbon Mineral Storage, enhancing the contribution of public research to the energy transition and the reduction of climate emissions.
-Photos press office Cnr-
(ITALPRESS).
