Note: film 1, film 3 and film 4 are only available in German at the moment (film 5 and film 6 with english subtitles).
"It is undisputed that human beings are affecting the global carbon cycle by emitting greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. ..." Fact is, that starting with the industrialization the atmospheric CO2 concentration reached levels never attained in hundreds of thousands years. Why can CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) - together with a decrease in energy demand, maximization of energy efficiency and the development of renewable energy - help to meet the challenge of minimizing global climate change?
"Porous rocks with good permeability have, in Germany and world-wide, the highest potential for geological CO2 storage. ..." Where do these rocks occur? And which further criteria need potential CO2 storage sites to meet?
"... To achieve the reduction targets, the CO2 has to remain permanently in the underground. For carefully selected storage locations no leakage is expected. ..." There are various natural trapping mechanisms that retain the CO2 at different time scales. Which kind of mechanisms are there and how do they work?
"The geological storage of CO2 has a clear intention: The reduction of the greenhouse gas CO2 produced by humanity." Because safety and the protection of humans and environment take top priority, comprehensive monitoring of CO2 storage sites is required. Which kind of monitoring methods are available for CO2 storage sites?
"At the Ketzin pilot site in Brandenburg, Germany, CO2 has been injected into an underground storage formation since June, 2008. ...". The monitoring methods used at the pilot site Ketzin are among the most comprehensive in the field of CO2 storage worldwide. Important is the combination of different monitoring methods, each with different temporal and spatial resolutions. Which methods are used? And what have we already learned?
"At the pilot site Ketzin three wells were drilled to depths of 750 to 810 meters in 2007 before the start of CO2 injection ..." In 2011 a fourth, and 2012, the fifth well was constructed. This last well (Ktzi 203) for the first time offers the unique opportunity to gain samples (cores) from a storage reservoir that have been exposed to CO2 for more than four years. How were these samples (cores) gained and studied?
"…For a sound assessment of the geological CO2 storage further investigations are necessary -especially with regard to the post injection monitoring and the closure of a CO2 storage site.…" For the first time, the research activities at the Ketzin pilot site will cover the complete life-cycle of a CO2-storage at the pilot scale. Essential scientific findings are gained from the earliest stages of exploration to the monitoring and behavior of the reservoir after cessation of the injection and results for the abandonment of a CO2 storage site are obtained.
Brochure "Underground Storage of CO2" |
Brochure "Geologische Speicherung von CO2" |
Report in the GFZ journal "System Erde" with the focus on "Scientific Drilling" |