TNO and E.ON intensify collaboration around trapping CO2
Rotterdam, 3 April 2008 - TNO and E.ON Benelux intend to collaborate more closely on development of technology to trap CO2. This was announced by the two parties on 3 April at the official start-up of the TNO-CATO pilot at E.ON’s Maasvlakte power station. The opening ceremony was performed by Dutch minister of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment, Dr Jacqueline Cramer.
The Dutch CATO programme develops knowledge around substantial reduction of CO2 emissions from burning fossil fuels – mainly at electricity generating plants and for major industrial processes. Alongside the various ways of trapping CO2 there are also sub-projects focusing on the transportation and storage of CO2. The amount involved in the overall programme is slightly in excess of € 25 million. Input by partners including the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research), universities, corporates and environmental organisations has helped make the CATO-programme the Netherlands’ most important initiative around the clean use of fossil fuels.
E.ON Benelux’s pilot plant concentrates on ‘post-combustion capture’. This involves removal of CO2 from flue gases after incineration. The pilot plant has been designed as a multi-purpose installation to test and develop new means of absorption, gas/liquid contactors, and process integration concepts. To this end, the installation removes flue gases from the plant’s shaft, for treatment. The installation has a capacity of 250 kg CO2 per hour. The sub-project is coordinated by TNO which also makes an important knowledge contribution. Activities at TNO include laboratory testing of processes which are then continued on a larger scale at E.ON. First to be tested is CORAL, a new, stable, and environmentally friendly absorbent developed by TNO.
3 April’s ceremony to mark going online formed part of the third Netherlands Conference on Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) organised by CATO and EnergieTransitie). The conference was opened by former Dutch prime minister Ruud Lubbers, chair of the Rotterdam Climate Initiative.
E.ON Benelux and TNO view the CATO-project as highly important for the development of affordable technology needed for realisation of trapping and storing CO2. In combination with other initiatives the two parties expect to pave the way for clean use of fossil fuels, within a relatively short time span. This is necessary for scientists and the business community to buy time for full transition to fully sustainable energy management – a field where both parties have a substantial involvement.
The importance attached by TNO and E.ON to this type of research is supported by the declaration of intent stating that an agreement on a follow up programme would be made right at the start of the current pilot test programme.