This proposal is submitted in response to call LC-SC3-CC-4-2018. The overarching goal of this project is to draw together a broad, effective and inclusive network of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) – hereafter referred to as CCUS – stakeholders to support the development of zero emission fossil fuel power plants and energy intensive industries. Supporting the coordination of diverse stakeholders - including the private and public sectors - will contribute to a common agreement on the role that CCUS technologies can play in the transition to a low-carbon economy. This proposal will support the coordination of the stakeholders’ activities through the SET-Plan CCUS European Technology Innovation Platform (ETIP). A key activity of the ETIP will be to support progress of the CCUS Research and Innovation (R&I) activities contained in the SET-Plan CCS and CCU Implementation Plan . The Implementation Plan was developed by a temporary working group and adopted by the Set Plan Steering Group on 27th September 2017. The Implementation Plan R&I activities will support delivery of the SET-Plan targets agreed for Action 9 on CCS and CCU. This proposal is to continue the ETIP ZEP activities supported through the project SESZEP funded under LCE-36-2016. The grant for this project ends on the 30th of April 2018 and so there will be a gap in the support to the ETIP stakeholders. If this proposal is successful we would wish to start providing support to the stakeholders at the earliest possible opportunity in order to minimise disruption . If this proposal is successful we would like to discuss the options for a timely start for these services with the Commission.

The SESZEP project aims to draw together a broad, effective and inclusive network of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) stakeholders to support the development of zero emission fossil fuel power plants and energy intensive industries. Supporting the coordination of diverse stakeholders - including the private and public sectors and civil society - will contribute to a common agreement on the role that CCS technologies can play in the continued transformation of the European Union (EU) to a low-carbon economy. This will enable stakeholders to contribute effectively towards the SET-Plan activities and strategy. The project will build on the existing European Technology Platform (ETP) for CCS, the Zero Emission Platform (ZEP), which was established in 2005 with 3 main goals: 1) Enable CCS as a key technology for combating climate change. 2) Make CCS technology commercially viable by 2020 via an EU-backed demonstration programme. 3) Accelerate R&D into next-generation CCS technology and its wide deployment post-2020. Over a period of 21 months, the project would provide support to the energy stakeholders of the ZEP as it transitions to become a European Technology and Innovation Platform (ETIP). In particular, the project proposes the provision of secretariat, communications services and a contracted Chairperson to the ZEP. It would also seek to expand the ZEP membership to ensure a greater participation of energy intensive industries and EU Member States. The project would build on the existing structure, governance and operational framework of the ZEP to ensure that the organisation works most effectively and delivers robust, reliable and transparent recommendations to policy makers.

The potential for carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies to make a significant contribution to mitigating the risk of dangerous climate change has been recognised by a number of international bodies including the G8, International Energy Agency and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. A range of commercial-scale demonstration projects are being proposed with the aim of CCS being available for widespread deployment from around 2020. A significant effort is required to train scientists and engineers (and others) to be able to design, construct and successfully operate these and future projects. It is also crucial to use lessons from these projects to inform CCS R&D, as well as drawing on insights from other fields that could be crucial for rapid development of CCS. Recognising these needs, the Research Councils have made a significant investment in UK CCS R&D capacity including through the E.On/EPSRC partnership and a programme of collaborative work with China.The UK Carbon Capture and Storage Community network (UKCCSC) has been established to support the UK academic community during a period (2009-2013) when significant changes in the CCS landscape are expected. The impacts of the Network will include better co-ordination within the UK CCS R&D community and more effective communication of accurate and impartial information, including key research results, to a wide range of stakeholders in a timely manner. The UKCCSC network will be the main mechanism to enable inter-communication between Research Council-funded projects on CCS. It will also contribute to maximising the efficiency of UK intellectual leverage, including within the international community. UKCCSC is deliberately not sponsored by any commercial entity so that it is able to maintain independence.UKCCSC aims to provide a 'one stop shop' for access to the UK CCS academic community. It intends to encourage collaborations that can support high quality work that will advance fundamental understanding of CCS technology, and the non-technical impacts of its use, and contribute to building world class capacity in this area. Any UK-based researcher is eligible to participate in UKCCSC core activities. These include two face-to-face meetings each year for academic researchers to share ongoing work, as well as updating key stakeholders. Between meetings, the UKCCSC website will provide relevant resources. A regular newsletter will also be circulated to UKCCSC members and registered stakeholders.Additional UKCCSC activities will support the development of a dynamic and stimulating environment for research and innovation on CCS in the UK. These include a programme of activities for early career researchers and specialist workshops or seminars organised in response to proposals from UKCCSC members. Support for exchange visits and other activities to develop strategic alliances within the UK or with international collaborators will also be available to UKCCSC members. In addition, it is expected that UKCCSC will help its membership to contribute to shaping future priorities for funding of CCS R&D in the UK.The UKCCSC secretariat will be responsible for running the network on a day-to-day basis. The full-time network manager supports and promotes academic CCS activities in the UK including by organising events. They are supported by a part-time early careers co-ordinator, webmaster and secretary. The secretariat is jointly hosted by Imperial College London and the University of Edinburgh and managed by Dr Jon Gibbins and Prof Stuart Haszeldine. A project advisory committee will be established to guide the development of UKCCSC as it responds to the rapidly evolving challenges and requirements for CCS R&D. An international reference user group, formed of invited members from representative organisations in other countries, will ensure that strong links are maintained between UK researchers and the international CCS community.

The potential for carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies to make a significant contribution to mitigating the risk of dangerous climate change has been recognised by a number of international bodies including the G8, International Energy Agency and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. A range of commercial-scale demonstration projects are being proposed with the aim of CCS being available for widespread deployment from around 2020. A significant effort is required to train scientists and engineers (and others) to be able to design, construct and successfully operate these and future projects. It is also crucial to use lessons from these projects to inform CCS R&D, as well as drawing on insights from other fields that could be crucial for rapid development of CCS. Recognising these needs, the Research Councils have made a significant investment in UK CCS R&D capacity including through the E.On/EPSRC partnership and a programme of collaborative work with China.The UK Carbon Capture and Storage Community network (UKCCSC) has been established to support the UK academic community during a period (2009-2013) when significant changes in the CCS landscape are expected. The impacts of the Network will include better co-ordination within the UK CCS R&D community and more effective communication of accurate and impartial information, including key research results, to a wide range of stakeholders in a timely manner. The UKCCSC network will be the main mechanism to enable inter-communication between Research Council-funded projects on CCS. It will also contribute to maximising the efficiency of UK intellectual leverage, including within the international community. UKCCSC is deliberately not sponsored by any commercial entity so that it is able to maintain independence.UKCCSC aims to provide a 'one stop shop' for access to the UK CCS academic community. It intends to encourage collaborations that can support high quality work that will advance fundamental understanding of CCS technology, and the non-technical impacts of its use, and contribute to building world class capacity in this area. Any UK-based researcher is eligible to participate in UKCCSC core activities. These include two face-to-face meetings each year for academic researchers to share ongoing work, as well as updating key stakeholders. Between meetings, the UKCCSC website will provide relevant resources. A regular newsletter will also be circulated to UKCCSC members and registered stakeholders.Additional UKCCSC activities will support the development of a dynamic and stimulating environment for research and innovation on CCS in the UK. These include a programme of activities for early career researchers and specialist workshops or seminars organised in response to proposals from UKCCSC members. Support for exchange visits and other activities to develop strategic alliances within the UK or with international collaborators will also be available to UKCCSC members. In addition, it is expected that UKCCSC will help its membership to contribute to shaping future priorities for funding of CCS R&D in the UK.The UKCCSC secretariat will be responsible for running the network on a day-to-day basis. The full-time network manager supports and promotes academic CCS activities in the UK including by organising events. They are supported by a part-time early careers co-ordinator, webmaster and secretary. The secretariat is jointly hosted by Imperial College London and the University of Edinburgh and managed by Dr Jon Gibbins and Prof Stuart Haszeldine. A project advisory committee will be established to guide the development of UKCCSC as it responds to the rapidly evolving challenges and requirements for CCS R&D. An international reference user group, formed of invited members from representative organisations in other countries, will ensure that strong links are maintained between UK researchers and the international CCS community.

The overarching objective of Project IMplementation Plan for Actions on CCUS Technologies in the SET Plan - IMPACTS9 - is to support the realisation of the SET Plan Implementation Plan on CCS and CCU (hereafter referred to as CCUS). Multiple studies have highlighted that CCUS technologies are expected to play a critical role in the decarbonisation of the European energy and industrial sectors. However, to date CCUS has not been developed in Europe to the extent needed if the EU is to deliver on its climate goals and support the transition to a low carbon economy. It is important that there is a renewed focus on the development of CCUS projects in Europe. In 2016 the European Commission, SET-Plan countries, and industry, outlined a Declaration of Intent for CCUS containing 10 targets for 2020, the combination of which will, if delivered, represent a material step towards commercialisation of CCUS technologies in Europe. A SET-Plan Temporary Working Group 9 was established to develop an Implementation Plan which set out eight Research & Innovation (R&I) Activities which can help to realise the 2020 CCUS targets. The Implementation Plan was approved by the European Commission in September 2017. IMPACTS9 will support delivery of the R&I activities outlined in the Implementation Plan for CCUS through the provision of coordination and support to the key public and private stakeholders that are well placed to progress the SET-Plan Implementation Plan actions in the near term. IMPACTS9 will establish sub-groups to support delivery of the R&I activities and progress CCUS. Each work package is designed to support the work of these sub-groups in delivering the R&I activities. The consortium is composed of organisations highly representative of these stakeholders and will engage with them for their active contribution in the implementation of the SET Plan.