New Zealand's GNS (Geological and Nuclear Sciences Ltd), the RCA national coordinating agency of New Zealand, recently formed a consortium with coal producer 'Solid Energy' and electricity generator 'Genesis Power' to investigate ways of burying carbon dioxide produced from the use of fossil fuels. Capture and storage of carbon dioxide in deep geological formations will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enable New Zealand industry to meet the New Zealand government's Kyoto Protocol obligations.
(Source: GNS)

The technology involves separating carbon dioxide from power plants, compressing it into a liquid and injecting it deep underground where it can remain safely for many thousands of years.

The New Zealand consortium will contribute A$ 1.75 million over the next seven years to the 'Australian Cooperative Research Center for Greenhouse Gas Technologies' (CRC). Under the CRC programme, the Australian government matches research funding dollar-to-dollar.

The aim of the Australian programme is to investigate CO-2 capture and storage and develop innovative technologies that will allow industry to reduce CO-2 emissions in an environmentally sustainable way that is also economic. The programme also aims to develop new commercial energy options, such as hydrogen energy.

For more information visit: www.co2crc.com.au