NT government, CSIRO pitching for carbon capture facility at Middle Arm

A blueprint to assess the viability of a large-scale, low-emissions carbon capture utilisation and storage hub in Darwin will be developed.

THE NT government, CSIRO and industry and engineering companies will develop a blueprint to assess the viability of a large-scale, low-emissions carbon capture utilisation and storage hub based at Middle Arm.

The business case for the hub project is intended to fast-track emissions reductions across the growing Northern Australian energy sector and position the Territory as a global leader in low-emissions energy exports. If developed, the hub will be one of the largest multi-user, multi-access hubs in the world.

With expertise in hydrogen and carbon capture use and storage, the CSIRO will provide impartial scientific advice, co-ordinate the development of detailed concept designs, build international linkages and conduct geological research and economic and customer studies.

Carbon capture, use and storage, is an emerging technology with the potential to reduce emissions from industrial processes, including resource power plants and heavy industry. The carbon dioxide is separated from other gases and compressed.

It can then be permanently stored in underground geological formations or used to create commercial products.

The hub would help establish the Territory’s Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct, ensure the Territory continues to maximise its world-class energy resources and support development of an interconnected hydrogen industry. Chief Minister Michael Gunner said the Territory was an easy fit for carbon capture investment.

“We are home to world-class natural gas and solar resources and subsurface carbon dioxide storage capacity, and we are on the doorstep of key international energy export markets,” Mr Gunner said.

CSIRO chief executive Larry Marshall said the hub would create jobs and open export pathways.

“It will give Australia a global advantage by pushing the boundaries of science and technology to put homegrown innovation into real-world demonstration projects, particularly through our hydrogen industry and Towards Net Zero missions,” Dr Marshall said.