RCN-SEES: Multidisciplinary Approaches to Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage

DESCRIPTION: Predictions of global energy usage indicate a continued increase in carbon emissions and rising concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere unless major changes are made to the way energy is produced and used. Consequently, Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) is one of the most urgent technological and societal challenges faced by humanity. Until now, these technologies have been developed independently of one another, which has resulted in complex and economically challenged designs without much discussion on the societal issues for their implementation. This multidisciplinary RCN-SEES team is formulated to provide transformative research directions in CCUS and facilitate research collaborations that effectively cross the boundaries of the natural sciences, engineering, and the social and economic sciences to develop new understanding, theories, models and technologies as well as assessment tools for the developed technologies and their implementation plans.

OUTCOMES: This effort aims to lead to new understandings, theories, models and technologies as well as assessment tools for CCUS and their implementation plans for global communities. The proposed activities of the RCN-SEES also include extensive educational and outreach activities, which will allow the creation of the workforce that has the holistic understanding of CCUS related issues with strong scientific and engineering skills.