ACCSESS

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Understanding the needs of cities and their residents is crucial in addressing today's climate challenges.

The ACCSESS project "Access to cost-effective, replicable, safe and flexible CCUS" focuses on raising awareness of the urgency of climate change and promoting science-based solutions such as carbon capture, utilization and storage. This technology promises to mitigate the impacts of climate change while promoting urban sustainability.

 

Developing climate solutions with ACCSESS

 

Our comprehensive study examines the social and public impacts of carbon capture, use and storage. Our methods include:

© ACCSESS Open Webinar – CCUS Regulations, Utilisation and LCA
  • Interview
  • Survey
  • Social media and sentiment analysis
  • Analysis of stakeholder involvement

Using these methods, we explore public perceptions and concerns about carbon capture, utilization and storage. The resulting insights contribute to the development of educational materials and user-friendly information packages for cities interested in adopting carbon capture, utilization and storage solutions.

Urban sustainability with the ACCSESS CCUS handbook

In addition, our Carbon Capture and Storage Handbook for Sustainable Urban Development explains the role of this technology in efforts to expand urban sustainability. By analyzing current climate change policies and conducting surveys, we provide guidance for making informed decisions on implementing carbon capture, use and storage.

The Project

ACCSESS is an EU Horizon 2020 Innovation Action project running from May 2021 to April 2025, coordinated by SINTEF Energy.

Main objectives:

  • Testing of CO₂ capture and utilization at TRL7 and integration into industrial plants
  • Developing and improving CCUS chains from continental Europe and the Baltic Sea region to the North Sea
  • Informing and engaging stakeholders about CCUS and its societal benefits, especially for sustainable cities

The project promotes CCUS technologies in Europe and establishes a standard methodology for the development of CCUS chains that integrates technological, economic and environmental analyses. It aims to create an open source tool for developing CCUS chains, find cost-effective CO₂ transport solutions and integrate CO₂ loading and unloading processes.

ACCSESS contributes to reducing the carbon footprint in cities and to global efforts to capture carbon. Demonstration stands will illustrate various carbon capture technologies and promote sustainability in the energy sector.

 

ACCSESS and Fraunhofer IAO

 

As part of the ACCSESS project, Fraunhofer IAO is working on Work Package 12 “Social Integration of CCUS”.

Objectives of this work package:

  • Developing educational materials for stakeholders to demonstrate CCUS benefits
  • Development of standardized CCUS solutions and a handbook for sustainable urban development
  • Training of national environmental authorities in Sweden and Germany on the regulation of CO₂ capture plants
  • Comprehensive communication plan, workshops, events and synthesis reports to improve visibility and stakeholder engagement

First, public opinion on carbon capture will be assessed through citizen surveys and social media analysis. Then, the state of knowledge on carbon capture in Europe will be analysed. This information will enable the ACCSESS consortium to produce effective teaching materials, a handbook for sustainable urban development, training guidelines, as well as workshops and events for stakeholders.

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Online-Workshop »Empowering Urban Decarbonisation«

Join our Online Workshop:

Empowering Urban Decarbonisation through CCUS

 

Is your city ready to take the next step towards achieving net-zero emissions? We invite you to participate in our upcoming online workshop,

»Empowering Urban Decarbonisation: CCUS Strategies and Solutions in European Cities«

scheduled for October 7th, 2024.

 

This event is tailored for cities that are new to Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) and are eager to explore its potential in driving urban sustainability.

Workshop Details:

 

Workshop Agenda
 

  1. Introduction (10 minutes) 
    1. -   Welcome and workshop outline
    2. -   Very Brief overview of the ACCSESS project 
    3. -   Short Introduction on the topic and its relevance
  2.  Presentations: City CCS "Journeys" (10 minutes each + 10 minutes   Q&A)
    • Renova, Gothenburg: Waste to Energy (Lia Detterfelt)
    • Porthos, Rotterdam: CO2 Transport and Storage (Wouter Schiferli)
    • Zurich: CCUS as part of the Net Zero Strategy (René Estermann)
    • Trondheim: Waste to Energy (citizen engagement) (Tove-Lill Karlson)
  3. Interactive Session on Urban Decarbonisation Challenges (50 minutes) 
    1. -    Introduction (5 minutes): Breakout room division, brief overview of    the Miro canvas
    2. -     Breakout discussions (30 minutes): status quo of municipalities, climate neutrality strategies and CCS/CCU potentials as well as solutions
    3. -     Group presentations (15 minutes): Summary of discussion points and insights by group moderator
  4.   Recap and Conclusion (10 minutes): Quick recap and closing remarks

Register now: https://forms.office.com/e/0UHNtmX5GP

Don't miss this opportunity to connect with experts, share ideas, and explore innovative solutions for your city's journey towards a sustainable future. Join us and take a significant step towards becoming a net-zero city!

Review of the Morgenstadt Werkstatt NEO 2024: Potential of CCS technologies for municipal climate protection and energy systems

On June 17, 2024, the Morgenstadt Werkstatt NEO 2024 conference took place on the educational campus in Heilbronn. The Fraunhofer ACCSESS team met with leading experts and stakeholders to discuss the opportunities and challenges of carbon capture technologies (CCS) for municipal climate protection and energy systems.

 

Topics of discussion
 

  • What are carbon capture technologies?
  • How can they contribute to municipal and industrial climate protection?
  • What are the hurdles and opportunities for urban and industrial decarbonization?

 

Important discussion points

 

  • Role of cement and concrete: Concrete is the second most used material after water and is responsible for 7.5% of CO2 emissions. Cement is particularly problematic. An average cement plant requires the energy equivalent of 25 wind turbines, and CO2 capture requires the energy of another 50 wind turbines.
  • Carbon Management Strategy of the German Federal Government: Satisfaction with the German Federal Government, which is planning CCS offshore and allowing it onshore with state approval.
  • Public acceptance: Involve and inform citizens at an early stage to promote acceptance and understanding.
  • Opportunities for municipalities: Learn from cities that implement CCS/CCU and use climate-neutral concrete where possible.


Conclusion

 

Carbon capture technologies are crucial to achieving our climate goals. Integrating these technologies into different sectors and actively engaging citizens is a must for success. They help reduce CO2 emissions by capturing carbon from industrial processes and either storing it (CCS) or reusing it (CCU). However, the technology presents energy challenges: an average cement plant requires the energy equivalent of about 25 wind turbines, and CO2 capture would require another 50 wind turbines.

 

Findings

 

  • Energy requirements: High energy consumption for CCUS.
  • Importance: Essential for climate goals.
  • Municipal solutions: Examples like Zurich show successful integration.
  • Research: Some aspects still need to be answered through research.
  • Public acceptance: Early involvement and education are important.
  • Awareness: CCUS has not yet reached the general public and city administrations.

 

Why is carbon capture important?

 

  • CO2 reduction: Essential for achieving climate goals.
  • Applications : Wide range of applications in various sectors.
  • Local climate protection: Significant contribution from cities and municipalities.

Would you like to participate?

Our goal at ACCSESS is to bring the benefits of carbon capture closer to society and enable real access to cost-effective, replicable, safe and flexible carbon capture, use and storage. This requires in-depth work, knowledge sharing and collaboration between partners, citizens and public administrations.

We are currently looking for European cities willing to participate in two short surveys. These surveys aim to capture the level of knowledge and technological development of carbon capture in Europe and to promote knowledge sharing between city administrations. Your participation will be valuable for the development of our handbook on carbon capture and storage for sustainable urban development and for the production of educational material to inform public administrations and the European population.

If you are interested as a private individual, representative of a public administration or a company, please contact us using the form below. We look forward to hearing from you!

 

 

* Required

Sources and Publications

  • Report on citizen concerns and recommendations regarding CCUS
    [available soon]
  • Handbook on the potential of CCUS for sustainable cities:
    [available soon]