The need for carbon-negative solutions – i.e. systems that withdraw more CO₂ from the atmosphere than they emit – as safeguards against irreversible climate change is increasingly being recognised on an international level. In a recent (5th June 2011) interview with UK newspaper The Guardian, Exec. Secretary of the UNFCCC stated that “we are putting ourselves in a scenario where we will have to develop more powerful technologies to capture emissions out of the atmosphere,” stressing that the time for halting dangerous climate change is running out.

CCS deployment on large-scale fossil fuel emission sources has received a lot of consideration compared to biomass sources. Nevertheless, it has been acknowledged that combining biomass conversion with CCS can create an artificial carbon sink while simultaneously offering energy products such as electricity, heat and biofuels. Bio-CCS is therefore one of the most promising technology options that have the potential to deliver such carbon-negative solutions, but many questions remain unanswered concerning e.g. technological, socio-economic and resource-related barriers.

This international workshop at the University of Cardiff will bring together researchers and other relevant stakeholders to bring light to these questions. 

You will find on the event website updated and detailed information concerning registration, programme, venues and accommodation. For more information contact Jonas Helseth.

Topics and Keynote speakers

Session 1 Global and regional potentials for sustainable biomass and negative CO₂ emissions

Keynote Speaker – Nathalie Trudeau, International Energy Agency (IEA)

Session 2 CCS for biofuels production

Keynote Speaker – TBA

Session 3 Co-firing biomass with fossil fuels in energy production and industry

Keynote Speaker – Philippe Paelinck, Director CO₂ Business Development, Alstom

Session 4 Incentivising and developing a market for carbon-negative solutions

Keynote Speaker – Tim Dixon, Manager CCS and Regulatory Affairs, IEA GHG

Venues:

Day 1, Cardiff: Sessions will be held in the Glamorgan Council Chambers in the historic Glamorgan Building in Cardiff’s prestigious Civic Centre.

Day 2, Port Talbot: Sessions will be held at Cardiff School of Engineering’s Gas Turbine Research Centre (GTRC) site in Port Talbot.