International Engagement Strategy 2014-2017 · appropriate (INT3) 3.10 Links maintained with key...

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International Engagement Strategy 2014-2017 UK Carbon Capture and Storage Research Centre UK Carbon Capture and Storage Research Centre 30 April 2014 Sanderson Building, The King’s Buildings, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JL +44 (0) 131 650 8564 ukccsrc.ac.uk The UKCCSRC is supported by the EPSRC as part of the RCUK Energy Programme.

Transcript of International Engagement Strategy 2014-2017 · appropriate (INT3) 3.10 Links maintained with key...

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International Engagement Strategy 2014-2017

UK Carbon Capture and Storage Research Centre

UK Carbon Capture and Storage Research Centre 30 April 2014 Sanderson Building, The King’s Buildings, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JL +44 (0) 131 650 8564 ukccsrc.ac.uk The UKCCSRC is supported by the EPSRC as part of the RCUK Energy Programme.

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UKCCSRC International Engagement Strategy 2014-2017

1. International Engagement is a key part of delivering the UKCCSRC’s mission The aim of the UKCCSRC is to provide a national focal point for CCS research and development in order to bring together the user community and academics to analyse problems, devise and carry out world-leading research and share delivery, thus maximising impact. A key priority is to help stimulate the UK economy by driving an integrated research programme focused on increasing the contribution of CCS to a low-carbon energy system for the UK. In line with the EPSRC Delivery Plan 2011-2015, the UKCCSRC mission will be delivered through three key areas:

Delivering Impact Many CCS technologies that are required to deliver cost-effective, low-carbon fossil fuel and carbon-negative biomass use in the UK energy system and industries will be developed and demonstrated wholly or in part outside the UK and the UKCCSRC should position itself to be a research provider to the whole international CCS community. Effective impact (including feedback on what has and has not worked for learning by doing) requires engagement throughout the development and demonstration process. In addition, cuts in CO2 emissions anywhere in the world that are facilitated by UK scientific expertise in CCS will help the UK avoid the risk of dangerous climate change. UK public policy activities include engagement with a number of countries on energy and climate issues, which can be supported by UKCCSRC activities.

Developing Leaders Particularly while CCS is in its infancy, extending the range of personal development opportunities available through participation in overseas activities at all stages of career development is critical to giving future and current UK CCS leaders the best possible breadth and depth of experience and contacts.

Shaping Capability Cooperating with the best of overseas CCS Research, Development and Deployment activities in areas that are relevant to the UK will help both to accelerate the development of UK capacity and allow resources to be concentrated where they are most needed to make available the underpinning scientific knowledge and infrastructure that the UK requires for future wealth creation and climate security. Overseas collaboration will allow the UK to share the cost and risk of research and/or give access to facilities that may not be available in the UK. In particular, large-scale CCS projects will be very rare for some time, and the UK Commercialisation Programme FEED projects have yet to have FID confirmed, so strong engagement with overseas large-scale CCS projects wherever possible is a high priority.

The purpose of this International Engagement Strategy is to ensure that UKCCSRC’s Mission and Strategic Plan 2012-2017 (see Section 2) are achieved effectively and efficiently by developing a number of delivery approaches and mechanisms.

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UKCCSRC International Engagement Strategy 2014-2017

2. Links to UKCCSRC Strategic Priorities International Engagement is a key part of the delivery of a number of the UKCCSRC's Strategic Priorities, as set out in the UKCCSRC Strategic Plan 2012-2017 and reproduced below. The relevant Activities and associated Criteria for Success for 2014-2015 are given in Section 8.

Strategic Priority 2: Deliver a coordinated programme of CCS research that links government, industry, regulators and research organisations

2.5. The Centre’s Research Groups will support the coordination of a wide range of CCS research activities, applications and project and programme development in the UK and involving UK researchers working with international partners.

2.8. (The Centre will establish links with existing and new UK CCS projects originating outside the Centre,) and establish agreements and other support for international research collaborations.

2.9. The Centre and its partners will seek additional funding for CCS research projects and programmes from RCUK and other UK and international government-funded sources and from industry.

2.10. The Centre will provide strategic input and programme support to a range of UK Funding Councils and European and other funding bodies.

Strategic Priority 3: Develop sustainable CCS research capacity and infrastructure in the UK

3.7 Establish and operate mechanisms to facilitate international engagement with Priority Countries (INT1)

3.8 Targeted Engagement Activities with Priority Countries and globally (INT2)

3.9 Links maintained with key international organisations in CCS and exploited as appropriate (INT3)

3.10 Links maintained with key international events in CCS and exploited as appropriate (INT4)

3.11 Help inform UK academics about the state of the art in industry practice globally (also in UKCCSRC Industrial Engagement Strategy) (INT5)

3.12 Assist UKCCSRC Members to access overseas research funding (INT6)

3.13 Build close links with relevant demonstration and large-scale projects globally (also in UKCCSRC Industrial Engagement Strategy) (INT7)

3.14 Facilitate collaborative research links with overseas (INT8)

3.15 Staff exchanges (outwards and inwards) (INT9)

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UKCCSRC International Engagement Strategy 2014-2017

Strategic Priority 4: Develop effective communication links and networks with CCS researchers and implementers, regulators, policy makers and other stakeholders in the UK and worldwide

4.2. The UKCCSRC will lead on international scientific engagement in CCS, exploiting existing links with Europe, China, India, Australia and the US and developing interactions with other major potential CCS users in the Middle East, Africa and South America. It will use a wide range of ‘best with best’ and international exchanges and collaborations to deliver world-class CCS research and to establish the next generation of networks and collaborations.

4.4. The Centre will develop links with a range of existing CCS research networks and projects in Europe and further afield to support the development of new exchanges and collaborations to deliver world-class research.

4.5. The Centre will support the development of new networks where appropriate – such as an International Gas CCS Network, and continue to support IEAGHG and the Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies (GHGT) conference series.

4.6. The Centre will proactively support the work of European Energy Research Alliance (EERA) as part of an investment in developing links to the next generation of European CCS projects – including Horizon 2020.

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UKCCSRC International Engagement Strategy 2014-2017

3. Delivery Approaches Three complementary (and sometimes overlapping) routes will be used to deliver the UKCCSRC International Engagement vision. In all cases attention will be given to assessing and maximising the value to the UKCCSRC and wider UK interests from the activities undertaken. All UKCCSRC-funded international activities will also report in an appropriate format.

3.1 Targeted Engagement Activities

Engagement activities included in this delivery approach lie within one or more of the three areas outlined in the Vision above and are linked to specific routes that take advantage of overseas engagement to progress UKCCSRC objectives, as defined in the UKCCSRC proposal and the UKCCSRC Strategic Plan 2012-2017 respectively. These activities may be initiated by the UKCCSRC and its Members, based on perceived UK needs and overseas capabilities, or be initiated by other parties from overseas - e.g. other research organisations, industry - or from the UK - e.g. Research Councils UK (RCUK) offering international research grants, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) offering travel and visit support. Where relevant, funding-related opportunities will be advertised to all Members (or their nominated Business Developers) as set out in the Centre’s policy on ‘Working with other UK CCS centres’ (https://ukccsrc.ac.uk/about/centre/working-other-uk-ccs-centres).

Three key scientific strategic objectives for Targeted Engagement Activities are to:

• link to relevant large-scale CCS activities (which are currently very rare globally); • gain access to useful research facilities (at all scales); or • gain access to scientific data that are not available in the UK.

In all cases, though, the emphasis in judging which proposed Targeted Engagement Activities should be pursued will be on assessing what potentially can be done through the engagement, the fit to wider UKCCSRC Proposal and Strategic Plan objectives, including possibly gaining access to additional funding, and the value of the activity for the UKCCSRC and wider UK interests.

3.2 Relationship Building

Relationship Building includes ongoing dialogue and networking interactions with other leading research organisations working on CCS, likely to be supported by a formal MOU or other statement of intent once relationships have been identified and sufficiently developed (possibly through a mission to the country). A major purpose for these efforts, intended to be sustained in the long term so long as the scientific justification for the relationship remains, is to facilitate or develop future Targeted Engagement Activities, including possibly many years ahead for tomorrow's UK CCS academic research community. Information exchange and benchmarking, through formal and informal processes, are also typically very

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UKCCSRC International Engagement Strategy 2014-2017

valuable aspects of this type of interaction. The emphasis in this type of approach is on the current and estimated future commitment to CCS of the Priority Country involved and on the characteristics (scientific quality and relevance, but also, critically, willingness to engage) of the partner organisation(s), plus the value for money of the individual actions being undertaken and each overall country’s Relationship Building programme.

3.3 International Organisations and Events

Links to major international organisations, including through meetings and workshops covering one or more relevant themes for the UKCCSRC that are primarily intended to bring together a range of national or international attendees rather than linking to a specific host organisation, are also important. Purposes for attending (or organising) such meetings could include state-of-the-art surveys, dissemination of UKCCSRC research and/or promoting awareness of the UKCCSRC, networking in support of Targeted Engagement Activities and Relationship Building, and/or supporting wider UK initiatives (e.g. RCUK or FCO-led initiatives etc.). With many key stakeholders in one place, these types of event can be a cost-effective way to communicate and network with a multiple international partners.

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UKCCSRC International Engagement Strategy 2014-2017

4. Targeted Engagement Activities Targeted Engagement Activities provide the main scientific content for International Engagement by UKCCSRC Members. In general they will rely on a combination of existing research project funding, so from potentially several hundred UK projects for the UKCCSRC input and from potentially a much greater number of overseas projects. The majority of UKCCSRC international engagement activities will be driven by a combination of open calls for funding to deliver the Centre’s strategic aims and to develop UK research capacity, and by targeted activity by the Centre’s Research Area Champions to engage with international organisations, projects and networks to meet an identified need or gap in the UKCCSRC's research activities. The Table below outlines an illustrative range of potential Targeted Engagement Activities and provides a commentary on some key benefits and limitations of each approach.

Table 1: Delivery Methods for Targeted Engagement Activities Methods Benefit Limitations Memorandum of Understanding

Provide useful frameworks for collaboration over a broader range of Centre members.

Limited ability of Centre to make commitments, particularly beyond grant.

Researcher Exchange (UK to overseas)

Builds capacity and can provide access to infrastructure not available in UK.

Can be somewhat ‘piecemeal’ and care needed to ensure fair participant balance.

Researcher Exchange (overseas to UK)

Raises awareness of UKCCSRC abroad, builds capacity and can establish new links amongst researchers, their organisations and the UKCCSRC.

Researchers on exchange may have limited exposure to Centre members depending on logistics of their visit.

Joint research projects or joint proposal development

Can develop/extend UK capacity and promote ‘best with best’ exchanges and collaborations. Proposal development for Targeted Engagement Activities and other funding opportunities may be through 'sandpits' with international partners.

Limited UKCCSRC funds available to support developed projects.

Access to experimental or pilot facilities

Allows UK researchers access to facilities not available in the UK.

May incur high costs.

Data exchange Facilitate UK research access to overseas data May require reciprocity Links to industry activities, especially full-scale CCS projects

Develop UK research capacity. May require substantial support costs.

Organising International Events

Raises UKCCSRC profile amongst a larger group of individuals. Events can be planned in conjunction with other events (e.g. alongside GHGT conferences) to maximise outreach.

Limited in-depth exchange of information and understanding depending on length of events and numbers of people in attendance.

Attendance at significant international events

Ensures UKCCSRC representation at significant meetings and events such as IEAGHG Network meetings – raises UKCCSRC profile and enables UKCCSRC to stay ahead of the curve with the latest developments in the field.

Need to be strategic in identifying the relevant meetings and events in advance to avoid wasting resources on non-priority events.

Missions and delegations Can establish new links and enhance understanding of established partners. Raises awareness of entire UK R&D activity and also individual researchers on the mission

Can be difficult to follow-up connections made effectively with limited funding

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UKCCSRC International Engagement Strategy 2014-2017

When linked to the range of disciplines and specialist areas involved in delivering CCS and covered by research projects involving UKCCSRC Members the possible number of permutations for the scientific scope of these activities obviously becomes very large, even when TEA topics are filtered by the assessment in the UKCCSRC RAPID Handbook of areas where knowledge needs to be improved.

An inherent feature of TEAs is that other countries CCS research communities will have their own timings for ongoing projects, new funding rounds etc. that will sometimes be inflexible and joint work with the UK will have to accommodate this. It is therefore anticipated that calls under the UKCCSRC International Research Collaboration Fund (see Appendix 1) will occur at approximately 6 month intervals to as far as possible allocate UK funds in a timely enough fashion for effective collaboration. Where possible, the UKCCSRC will also liaise with partner organisations overseas to coordinate respective call timings to facilitate potential collaboration (and advertise this, provide 'matchmaking' opportunities etc.).

In general UKCCSRC International Research Collaboration Fund grants will be a maximum of £25k. This makes them unsuitable for use as counterpart funding for new international projects of any size (e.g. Horizon 2020 CCS projects) although they might be used for preparatory research and team-building that would support a subsequent bid.

4.1 Selection criteria for Targeted Engagement Activities

Targeted Engagement Activities receiving UKCCSRC funding will need to demonstrate satisfactory prospective value (commensurate to the funds being expended), against all appropriate criteria from the list below.

a) The research background of the UK applicant and receiving international collaborator

b) The impact of proposed research in terms of potential publications, new IP and on CCS practitioners (i.e. industry, government or others working to develop, manage or regulate CCS commercialisation) - and have all reasonable routes to maximise activity impact been explored?

c) Activity fit to UKCCSRC Proposal/Strategy and UK national CCS research objectives as defined in the APGTF RD&D Strategy1 - narrative demonstrating link to defined UKCCSRC objectives

d) Cost/Benefit - particularly for activities initiated by overseas partners, is the benefit to the UK likely to justify the net costs (possibly by reference to alternative options for undertaking the action)?

1 Cleaner Fossil Power Generation in the 21st Century – Moving Forward: A technology strategy for carbon capture and storage. APGTF, January 2014. http://www.apgtf-uk.com/files/documents/APGT%20Strategy_Report2013_web.pdf

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UKCCSRC International Engagement Strategy 2014-2017

e) Additionality - what extra value is potentially available by this overseas engagement?

f) Uniqueness - could this engagement take place in other countries (e.g. at a lower cost/ in a Priority Country/to get synergy with other projects)?

g) Funding - is external funding available (e.g. FCO, local partner)? Can Centre money be used to leverage other funding? Should this have already been funded from other sources (e.g. existing RCUK research projects)?

h) Partner engagement - is the international partner willing and able to engage as required to deliver the desired outcome? Does this build on existing links or is it likely to facilitate strategic future links?

i) Wider engagement/involvement of UKCCSRC Members - what scope is there for this and how is it to be delivered?

j) The overall strength of the proposal

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UKCCSRC International Engagement Strategy 2014-2017

5. Prioritising International Relationship Building Relationship Building activities will typically include reciprocal participation in regular, nationally significant meetings and networking events, regular assessment and advertising of collaboration opportunities and the presumption that Targeted Engagement Activities required to deliver UKCCSRC objectives will also take place with these Priority Countries in preference to other countries if scientific issues are equally satisfactory.

5.1 Priority Country Selection

Metrics for CCS publication by more active countries from a recent UKCCSRC internal report prepared for DECC2 are shown in the figures below.

Figure 1: Total CCS publications and citations - October 2012 data (Based on data from ISI Web of Knowledge)

The USA, Canada and China all show high levels of activity and are obvious countries in which to build relationships. The USA and Canada also have active large scale projects and China is in the process of developing them. Australia is also quite active academically, especially given the size of its population, and has recently started the Gorgon injection project.

Japan, however, features at a relatively low academic activity level (Korea was not measured for this exercise but is expected to be similar or lower).

2 UK SCIENTIFIC CCS LEADERSHIP, Internal Report by Robin Cathcart, UK CCS Research Centre Network Manager, 23 December 2013

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UKCCSRC International Engagement Strategy 2014-2017

Figure 2: ISI Web of Knowledge cited articles on CCS by year

These metrics have been combined with countries and projects prioritised by Centre Members to create the Priority Country matrix in Table 2. The Centre’s Management Team will review the countries of interest as part of each year’s planning round and the Centre’s Research Groups will review their own research-related priority countries and projects as part of the RAPID process. Additionally, the Management Team will coordinate with Research Groups to ensure that their specific priority countries and projects are targeted in relevant International Engagement plans and funding calls.

In aggregate the non-UK European (DE+NO+NL+FR) academic CCS research activities in Figures 1 and 2 are about 50% greater than the USA on publications and 20% on citations. The EERA CCS Joint Programme is a very important way of building relationships with these important countries collectively. Bilateral relationships with selected leading countries are also warranted, although recent developments (and failure) to achieve CCS deployment in the EU and Norway may affect future R&D funding and activity. At the time of writing (March 2014) only the Netherlands has a well-developed, commercial-scale full chain project (ROAD) outside the UK. Norway has offshore injection projects at Sleipner and Snohvit but abandoned full chain CCS at Mongstad in late 2013.

Based on the above, and reflecting the need for there to be a substantial CCS community with which to build future relationships and the need to limit UKCCSRC commitments, International Engagement activities will focus on Australia, Canada, China, Netherlands, Norway and the USA.

South Korea has also been identified as a priority country, following up on the UK mission to Korea in late 2013 and reflecting high levels of UK and EU scientific engagement with Korea.

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UKCCSRC International Engagement Strategy 2014-2017

This will be supplemented by major participation in the EERA CCS JP for ongoing relationship links to active research groups in a wider number of European countries (e.g. France and Germany). The UKCCSRC (through its Members where appropriate) will also engage with other wider EU CCS research mechanisms such as the Horizon 2020 calls on CCS. Opportunities for Marie Curie Actions on Research Fellowships and co-funding will also be examined.

5.2 Other countries

The Centre also recognises the potential interest in several other areas, as below, and these (and potentially other countries that emerge as active over the course of the year, will be examined for possible elevation to Priority Country status over the next year, perhaps through a 'sandpit' process involving UKCCSRC Members with relevant experience and based on the country match to the latest RAPID assessments:

• MASDAR/UAE (plus more general Gulf Coast country opportunities) • Japan (based on growing interest in offshore geological storage - could extend existing

Members' Targeted Engagement Activity)

International engagement with all other countries can still be pursued as Targeted Engagement Activities, where a sufficiently strong case for support is made (e.g. due to an opportunity for ‘best-with-best’ scientific collaboration that can shape capability more effectively than undertaking that work in collaboration with an organisation in a Priority Country). As noted above, though, the emphasis in selection for all Targeted Engagement Activities will be on what potentially can be delivered through the engagement and the fit to wider UKCCSRC Proposal and Strategy objectives. Potential to leverage co-funding will also be important in judging whether or not to go ahead with an activity, particularly where a Targeted Engagement Activity with a non-Priority Country is proposed. Experience with Targeted Engagement Activities may well lead to a country becoming a priority for Relationship Building in the future.

In the context of Targeted Engagement Activities, based on broader criteria than CCS the EPSRC have selected China, India, Japan and USA as 'Priority Countries'; DECC OCCS has selected China, Indonesia and South Africa as priority countries for CCS capacity building. International engagement with the non-UKCCSRC Priority Countries from these two sets (i.e. India, Japan, Indonesia and South Africa) may still be pursued through Targeted Engagement Activities, especially if additional funding opportunities for travel and/or research support are available from FCO or DECC.

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Table 2: Priority Countries for International Engagement

Priority Countries Capture Organisations Cross-Cutting Organisations Storage Organisations

# of Large-Scale Integrated Projects1

CCS Pub' in ISI

Australia CO2CRC CSIRO University of Melbourne

CSIRO Energy Pipelines CRC CO2CRC University of Melbourne

CO2CRC CSIRO University of Melbourne

4 442

Canada CMC CanMet University of Calgary SaskPower

CMC University of Calgary SaskPower

CMC PTRC (including Weyburn activity) University of Calgary SaskPower (including Aquistore activity)

7 510

China2, 3 Chinese Academy of Science Tsinghua University Beijing Inst. of Low-Carbon Clean Energy Guangdong (groups TBC) Shanghai (groups TBC)

Chinese Academy of Science Quangdong (groups TBC) Shanghai (groups TBC) Dalian University of Technology

Chinese Academy of Science PetroChina Hauzhong University China University of Petroleum (Beijing)

12 956

Netherlands CATO2, TNO E.ON Energy Research Centre of the NL(ECN) Shell

CATO2, TNO Energy Research Centre of the NL(ECN) Shell

CATO2, TNO Shell

1 323

Norway SINTEF NTNU University of Oslo University of Bergen

SINTEF NTNU Universities of Bergen, Oslo & Tromso NIVA ZERO and Bellona

SINTEF NTNU Statoil Gassnova University Centre, Svalbard

4 354

South Korea Korea CCS R&D Center (KCRC) KCCSA Korea Electric Power Research Institute

Korea CCS R&D Center (KCRC) KCCSA Korea Advanced Inst. of Science and Tech Korea Electric Power Research Institute

Korea CCS R&D Center (KCRC) KCCSA Korea Advanced Inst. of Science and Tech Korea Electric Power Research Institute

2 272

USA3 University of Texas, Austin National Energy Technology Lab MIT Energy Initiative National CCS Center Carnegie Mellon University Regional Partnerships

University of Texas, Austin MIT Energy Initiative National Energy Technology Lab Carnegie Mellon University Regional Partnerships Batelle Institute Pipeline Research Council Int’l

US Geological Survey Regional Partnerships University of Texas, Austin Lawrence Berkeley National Lab Stanford University Lawrence Livermore National Lab National Energy Technology Lab Utah State University

20 882

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1 Numbers from GCCSI 2013 CCS Global Status Report 2 DECC “Priority Country” in Capability Building (China, Indonesia and South Africa) 3 EPSRC “Target County” (China, India, Japan and USA)

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UKCCSRC International Engagement Strategy 2014-2017

6. International Organisations and Events International organisations and events will often be linked, so these are addressed together in this Section.

6.1 Key international organisations in CCS

The UKCCSRC, as an organisation and through its Members, will seek to engage with the following key international organisations3:

a) Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum (CSLF) b) Clean Energy Ministerial CCUS Action Group (CEM) c) Global CCS Institute (GCCSI) d) International Energy Agency (IEA) e) IEA Greenhouse Gas Programme (IEAGHG) f) ISO (specifically TC 265 Carbon dioxide capture, transportation, and geological storage)4

These organisations run a range of major multi-day meetings, smaller workshops, standing networks (e.g. http://ieaghg.org/networks) and also form special-purpose working groups from time to time.

The UKCCSRC strategy for this strand of international engagement is to keep in touch with all these organisations and their activities but for the Coordination Group and Research Area Champions to prioritise funded attendance at individual meetings etc. based on fit to UKCCSRC objectives and priorities and also after consultation with DECC OCCS, the UK lead for these organisations, where appropriate.

6.2 Other international events

a) Events initiated by the UKCCSRC

As an example, the UKCCSRC, after consultation with DECC OCCS and with the assistance of the British Consulate in Osaka, organised a successful International Networking Reception at GHGT11 in Kyoto. The feasibility of repeating this at GHGT12 is being examined. In principle, similar one-off events could be organised at other suitable international meetings; these opportunities will be assessed by the Coordination Group (if expenditure is under £10k, also by the Board for higher costs) and usually with input from the UKCCSRC Independent

3 ZEP was also considered, but this is mainly for industrial membership and UKCCSRC also has links through EERA. 4 http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_technical_committee?commid=648607

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UKCCSRC International Engagement Strategy 2014-2017

Advisory Panel. Where appropriate, local assistance and leveraging of funds from UK FCO Embassy/Consulate sources will also be explored.

b) International networks initiated by the UKCCSRC

The UKCCSRC has led in the development of an informal Gas CCS Network, along the lines of the very successful CO2 Capture Test Network run by John Topper for IEAGHG in the 2000s, and after consultation with IEAGHG. This is largely based on shared hosting of events by a group of interested organisations. This topic was selected as a priority because CCS from natural gas power plants is of significant interest for future UK low carbon electricity systems but most attention historically has been given to CCS from coal. The network helps to draw together the limited amount of globally dispersed work on natural gas CCS to facilitate Targeted Engagement Actions and also raise the profile of the topic for research funders and policy makers.

Other such specialist groups that address a key area of interest for the UK or UKCCSRC Members will be considered by the Coordination Group, with the assistance of the UKCCSRC Independent Advisory Panel. These networks may be run independently or be linked to the IEAGHG (or similar organisation). For example, UKCCSRC Members (prior to UKCCSRC) helped to form the IEAGHG High Temperature Solid Looping Network. The procedure would be for individual members to make a proposal to the appropriate Research Group leader and the concept would then be discussed in the relevant Research Group before being forwarded for CG consideration, possibly with advice from the IAP. The Board would also need to approve any activities involving significant costs (>£10k).

c) Other events/networks not initiated by UKCCSRC

Participation in these events will be assessed for fit to international engagement delivery objectives and the wider UKCCSRC Strategic Plan by the Coordination Group. Where appropriate (and timing allows), advice will be sought from the Independent Advisory Panel and the Board and, where relevant, from DECC or any other UK government bodies engaged with the event.

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7. Funding for International Engagement Activities The cost breakdown for International Engagement Activities as defined in the UKCCSRC grant proposal is shown below. Please note that £150k of overseas travel funds were allocated to support the International Research Collaboration Fund at the January 2014 Board Meeting.

OVERSEAS BUDGET

Exchange visits programme for ECRs, years 1+2 (2 x £7500) £ 15,000

Exchange visits programme for ECRs, years 3-5 (3 x £15000) £ 45,000

Exchange visits programme for experienced researchers, years 1+2 (2 x £7500) £ 15,000

Exchange visits programme for experienced researchers, years 3-5 (3 x £15000) £ 45,000

Extend international networking and engagement activities, years 1+2 (2 x £3500) £ 7,000

Continuation of international networking and engagement activities, years 3-5 (3 x £7000) £ 21,000

Participation in CCS missions, years 1-5 (5 x £25000) £ 125,000

Director travel for overseas meetings - 10 per year x £2000 x 5 years £ 100,000

Research Area Champions and other UKCCSRC rep overseas £ 100,000

Total £ 473,000

UK BUDGET

Network - extend specialist meeting programme, years 1+2 (2 x £20000) £ 40,000

Network - continuation of specialist meetings, years 3-5 (3 x £40000) £ 120,000

Centre - Inward visit T&S costs for overseas experts, covering all partners - 5 years x 10 people x £2000 £ 100,000

Core and Flexible Research UK travel funds for subsequent allocation as agreed with EPSRC and subject to the approval of the UKCCSRC Board appointed by RCUK £ 126,000

£ 386,000

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8. International Engagement Strategic Priorities, Activities and Criteria for Success Relevant Activities and Criteria for Success from the 2014-2015 UKCCSRC Annual Plan.

2. Deliver a coordinated programme of CCS research that links government, industry, regulators and research organisations Strategic Priorities Activities in 2014-2015 Who Date Criteria for Success in 2014-2015 Criteria for Success by end of project

2.5 The Centre will establish specialist Research Groups to support the coordination CCS research activities, applications and project and programme development in the UK and involving UK researchers working with international partners.

RG meetings with researchers, industry, funders to develop wider programme links

RG (Sec) March 2015

Min 3 meetings per RG per year At least 1 specialist/EERA meeting per RG/year At least 1 industry/academic meeting per RG/year

UKCCSRC Research Groups each operating, with at least 5 ongoing collaborative projects, involving members from two or more organisations per project. RGs each organise at least 4 meetings/yr.

2.8 and provide support for the development of international research collaborations.

Conclude PTRC/Aquistore collaboration negotiations

Sec June 2014

Processes for third party researcher access agreed and publicised to UKCCSRC members.

Established links in place with all leading CCS nations. Coordinating >50% of non-proprietary international UK academic CCS research

Call for research with SaskPower Autumn 2014

Sec Sept 2014

Agree approach with SaskPower and UKCCSRC Board.

Explore scope for further collaborations with CMC

CG Sept 2014

2013 CMC/UKCCSRC ECR exchange reviewed and plan for any follow-up activities agreed

2.9 The Centre and its partners will seek additional funding for CCS research projects and programmes from RCUK and other UK and international government-funded sources and from industry.

Possible funding opportunities: • FEED projects • Horizon 2020 2014 call • Projects with China • New £60M research fund • Research Groups identify

challenge projects • ERA NET on CCS if in time Plus industry collaboration for the above.

MT as support for Members and Research Groups

March 2015

Members supported for all opportunities that arise. Research Groups identify at least 1 challenge project each, with industry or other stakeholder involvement. China opportunities workshop.

RCUK research portfolio in CCS maintained at current levels and in coordinated programme; UKCCSRC members major partners in other UK gov funded CCS R&D; UK major recipient of EU academic CCS research funding; UKCCSRC Research Groups initiating >50% of UK CCS academic research; Research counterpart funding worth £2M linked to Centre’s research funds.

2.10 The Centre will provide strategic input and programme support to a range of UK Funding Councils and European and other funding bodies.

Report on research challenges in the RCUK space after new developments in the UK CCS scene.

Sec/RG Sept 2014

RAPID handbook v2. Continued support for EERA including meeting organisation and funded staff time.

UK and EU funding (esp. Horizon 2020) for CCS R&D incorporates UKCCSRC evidence

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3. Develop sustainable CCS research capacity and infrastructure in the UK The Centre will work to develop sustainable CCS research capacity and infrastructure through the following activities. Strategic Priorities Activities in 2014-2015 Who Date Criteria for Success in 2014-2015 Criteria for Success by end of project 3.6f ECR international travel fund ECR international travel fund Sec March

2015 Up to 2 calls in 2014, £30k allocated by end of 2014/15 financial year

At least 20 exchanges with >80% of key CCS partner nations.

3.7. Establish and operate mechanisms to facilitate international engagement with Priority Countries (INT1)

Targeted Engagement Activities with Priority Countries

MT/ Research Groups/ RACs

April 2015

At least one Targeted Engagement Activity per Priority Country as appropriate and at least one more planned for 2015-16.

At least four Targeted Engagement Activities per Priority Country as appropriate.

Relationship Building with Priority Countries

MT/ Research Groups

April 2015

At least one Relationship Building activity per Priority country and one more planned for 2015-2016.

At least three Relationship Building activities per Priority country, with a routine established to run beyond 2017.

Review of Priority Countries MT /Research Groups

April 2015

Priority Countries reviewed as part of annual planning round (after an initial assessment by Sep 2014)

Priority Countries regularly reviewed as part of the RAPID process

3.8 Targeted Engagement Activities with Priority Countries (as a priority where appropriate) and globally (INT2)

Two calls per year for range of international engagement activities and subsequent delivery and communications (as appropriate)

MT/ Research Groups/ Members

April 2015

Two calls for TEAs held and Activities from the first Call completed where appropriate, second call Activities under way.

Five calls for TEAs held and Activities from them completed and with follow-up communications as appropriate.

3.9 Links maintained with key international organisations in CCS and exploited as appropriate (INT3)

Actions to raise or maintain awareness of the UKCCSRC and promote UKCCSRC aims and objectives with all of the main organisations: CSLF, CEM CCUS Action Group, GCCSI, IEA, IEAGHG.

MT/ Research Groups/ Members

April 2015

At least one action with all of the main organisations.

Active links maintained with key international organisations and the UKCCSRC established as a key member/partner/UK supporting organisation by all organisations, with a routine established to run beyond 2017.

3.10 Other international events (INT4)

Principally event(s) in connections with GHGT12, plus up to two other events if assessed as appropriate.

MT/ Members

April 2015

At least one event at GHGT12 (possibly two: International Networking Event plus Natural Gas CCS Network workshop, but still under investigation and assessment.

At least one event undertaken per year of the grant.

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3.11 Help inform UK academics about the state of the art in industry practice globally (also in UKCCSRC Industrial Engagement Strategy) (INT5)

Work with selected industry projects overseas to run meetings and communicate material

MT/ RAC/ Sec

March 2015

Updates for academics on at least three overseas projects/programmes selected with the assistance of the IAP, supported by web-based material for wider reference.

Information (with annual updates where appropriate) for academics on at least 5 overseas projects/programmes selected with the assistance of the IAP, supported by web-based material for wider reference.

3.12 Overseas funding initiatives (INT6)

Assist UKCCSRC Members to access overseas research funding

MT March 2015

Support UKCCSRC Member access to H2020 and any other available EU funding for CCS; examine opportunities for overseas funding or joint initiatives in all Priority Countries and communicate possibilities to Members

UKCCSRC Members achieve a representative share of EU CCS funding. Overseas funding or joint initiatives involving 50% of Priority Countries.

3.13 Build close links with relevant demonstration and large-scale projects globally (also in UKCCSRC Industrial Engagement Strategy) (INT7)

Work with industry projects overseas, selected with IAP advice, for mutually beneficial activities such as on-site research, inward secondments, outward KT.

MT /RACs /Research Groups /Members

March 2015

Develop existing MOU with SaskPower once BD3 is running and SP personnel have more free time. Open discussions with at least 2 other overseas projects and explore similar MOU arrangements.

Links with at least 4 overseas demonstration or large-scale projects

3.14 Facilitate collaborative research links with overseas (INT8)

Handle all incoming requests using defined protocol. Actively seek opportunities.

MT March 2015

Requests handled satisfactorily. At least 2 funding/collaborative research opportunities generated and passed on to Members.

Requests handled satisfactorily. At least 6 funding/collaborative research opportunities generated and passed on to Members.

3.15 Staff exchanges (outwards and inwards) (INT9)

If surplus UK secondees appear after giving priority to existing UK FEED etc. projects then approach overseas projects with links to the UKCCSRC

MT March 2015

Subject to all available UK FEED secondment places filled, successful; approaches made overseas if appropriate.

Subject to additional demand, successful approaches made overseas if appropriate

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4. Develop effective communication links and networks with CCS researchers and implementers, regulators, policy makers and other stakeholders in the UK and worldwide Strategic Priorities Activities in 2014-2015 Who Date Criteria for Success in 2014-2015 Criteria for Success by end of project

4.2 The UKCCSRC will lead on international scientific engagement in CCS, exploiting existing links with Europe, China, India and the US and developing interactions with other major potential CCS users in the Middle East, Africa and South America. It will use a wide range of ‘best with best’ and international exchanges and collaborations to deliver world-class CCS research and to establish the next generation of networks and collaborations.

Bring international specialists for lectures/meetings to ensure results from overseas inform UK R&D

RG/Sec March 2015

Programme of 6 overseas speakers invited with associated meetings. £40k allocated.

UKCCSRC established as focus for presentation of international CCS research activities within the UK.

4.4 The Centre will develop links with a range of existing CCS research networks and projects in Europe and further afield to support the development of new exchanges and collaborations to deliver world-class research.

Develop links with other National/Major Regional CCS Networks/Centres in UKCCSRC Priority Countries (currently Australia, Canada, China, Netherlands, Norway and the USA.)

Sec March 2015

Formal links with 2 additional Networks/Centres in UKCCSRC Priority Countries. MOU with CO2CRC Links with Guangdong extended to multiple Targeted Engagement Activities.

Links to partner organisations in all UKCCSRC Priority Countries

4.5. The Centre will support the development of new networks where appropriate – such as an International Gas CCS Network, and continue to support IEAGHG and the GHGT programme.

Continue to support International Gas Users CCS Network

Sec March 2015

At least one further network meeting held, plans for further activities in place

UKCCSRC has global reputation as effective network partner

Develop programme of activities around GHGT-12

Sec Oct 2014

Programme delivered successfully (likely to include Reception, Gas CCS Network meeting, ECR support)

4.6 The Centre will proactively support the work of EERA as part of an investment in developing links to the next generation of European CCS projects – including Horizon 2020.

Regular, effective engagement in the EERA CCS Joint Programme

Sec/RG/ BGS

April 2015

Support development of EERA CCS Strategic Research Agenda, including through CCS Joint Programme Management Board membership

UKCCSRC has major role in EERA and/or follow-on organisations. Horizon 2020 links to UKCCSRC objectives.

Effective participation in all relevant EERA activities once ‘Description of Work’ revision concluded

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UKCCSRC International Engagement Strategy 2014-2017

9. Appendix 1 - UKCCSRC International Research Collaboration Fund

1. Purpose This Appendix describes the call and approval process for requests for funds from the International Research Collaboration Fund.

2. International Research Collaboration Fund The International Research Collaboration Fund brings together £250k from the research budgets, supported by up to £100k from relevant travel budgets, to provide a small flexible fund to allocate grants of up to £25k (or, exceptionally, larger) to support international collaborative research (anticipated to be mainly the additional costs for adding collaboration to existing projects rather than completely new work).

Approximately three (depending on response and availability of funds) calls for proposals are anticipated during this phase of the UKCCSRC grant, starting in May 2014. Section 4 below provides further information about the call scope and assessment criteria.

3. Approval process 3.1: Applications of £10k or less The UKCCSRC Coordination Group will conduct an initial check of applications and submit recommendations to the UKCCSRC Board for approval.

3.2: Applications over £10k The UKCCSRC Board will organise the review of all applications over £10k.

4. International Research Collaboration Fund Call and Approval Process (the text of this section will be used as the basis for calls)

Aim: This fund offers a mechanism for UK based researchers working within the academic UK CCS community to collaborate with other CCS researchers around the world. Funds are available to support and strengthen both emerging and existing international collaborations .

Duration: Awards are available for a duration of between one and three months. However, applications for missions of a longer duration will be considered where co-funding from other sources has been obtained (or is being applied for). The mission must take place within nine months of notification of funding.

Value: Awards will be available up to a maximum of £25k, to cover travel costs and staff time. Applicants who make a particularly strong case for an amount exceeding these limits will be considered on a case by case basis.

Before submitting an application, applicants should check that they meet the eligibility requirements and ensure all necessary information is presented with their application. These requirements will be strictly followed. Applications without all necessary information or which fail to provide evidence to show how the assessment criteria are met will be rejected.

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UKCCSRC International Engagement Strategy 2014-2017

5. Assessment Process Applications of £10k or less The UKCCSRC Coordination Group will conduct an initial check of applications and submit recommendations to the UKCCSRC Board for approval.

Applications will be submitted to the UKCCSRC Coordination Group within three working days of the application deadline. It is expected that an application review should take approximately one hour. Initial reviews by the Coordination Group will be completed within four weeks of the closing deadline and will be kept anonymous to the applicants. The Coordination Group will then send their recommendations to the Board who will, within two weeks of receiving them, advise whether they are happy to sign off the allocation.

Applications over £10k The Board will conduct with review of all applications.

Applications will be submitted to the Board electronically (via the UKCCSRC website) within three working days of the application deadline. It is expected that an application review should take approximately one hour. All reviews should be completed within one month of the closing deadline and will be kept anonymous to the applicants.

Secretariat The UKCCSRC Secretariat will undertake an initial review of applications and remove any incomplete applications from the review process. The Secretariat will assist reviewers with technical support for review process and coordinate clarification to reviewers if any questions arise about eligible funding costs etc. The Secretariat will coordinate reviews and assist reviewers with administration and any technical questions. The Secretariat will inform applicants of any funding and administer the delivery of funds.

Assessment Criteria The primary assessment considerations are listed below. Successful applications should be strong in a number of respects:

• The research background of the UK applicant and receiving international collaborator

• The impact of proposed research in terms of potential publications, new IP and on CCS practitioners (i.e. industry, government or others working to develop, manage or regulate CCS commercialisation) - and have all reasonable routes to maximise activity impact been explored?

• Activity fit to UKCCSRC Proposal/Strategy and UK national CCS research objectives as defined in the APGTF RD&D strategy - narrative demonstrating link to defined UKCCSRC objectives

• Cost/Benefit - particularly for activities initiated by overseas partners, is the benefit to the UK likely to justify the net costs (possibly by reference to alternative options for undertaking the action)? Additionality - what extra value is potentially available by this overseas engagement?

• Uniqueness - could this engagement take place in other countries (e.g. at a lower cost/ in a Priority Country/to get synergy with other projects)?

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UKCCSRC International Engagement Strategy 2014-2017

• Funding - is external funding available (e.g. FCO, local partner)? Can Centre money be used to leverage other funding? Should this have already been funded from other sources (e.g. existing RCUK research projects)?

• Partner engagement - is the international partner willing and able to engage as required to deliver the desired outcome? Does this build on existing links or is it likely to facilitate strategic future links?

• Wider engagement/involvement of UKCCSRC Members - what scope is there for this and how is it to be delivered?

• The overall strength of the proposal

In addition to the application assessment criteria above, the review process will consider fit with the UKCCSRC International Engagement Strategy and the spread of funds across:

• research area groups and topics;

• institutions across the UK; and

• overseas collaborating institutions.

Application Documentation The following documents must be submitted for an application to be complete:

1. Signed application form

2. Letter from your overseas collaborating organisation giving approval, in principle, to host your mission

3. Two page CV from the applicant and two page CV from the receiving international collaborator

Application Submission Process All applications will be submitted via the UKCCSRC website HYPERLINK.

Signed application forms, a CV from the applicant, a CV and letter from the overseas collaborators must be scanned and uploaded to the website before the xx xx 2014 deadline.

Closing date for applications It is expected that two rounds of funding will be available from the UKCCSRC International Research Collaboration Fund in 2014. Only applications received by 23:59 (UK time) on xx xx 2014 through the UKCCSRC website will be considered for this round of funding.

The UKCCSRC will confirm receipt of completed applications within three working days. Applicants should hear back from the UK CCS Research Centre on the status of their application within eight weeks of the close of the call.

Contact information If you have any questions not covered in the rest of this document, please get in touch with Dave Fitch, the Chief Operations and Finance Manager ([email protected]) on +44 131 650 8564.

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UKCCSRC International Engagement Strategy 2014-2017

6. Eligibility Criteria Applicants

1. Applicants must be an academic member of the UKCCSRC.

2. Applicants must be working in the CCS field within the UK academic community at an eligible organisation at the time of application and for the duration of the proposed exchange activity.

3. Applicants must hold a permanent or fixed-term contract of employment at a UK university or research institute eligible to receive RCUK funding.

4. If your proposal relates to an existing international research collaboration, please state the case for additional funding and how you are initiating new activities.

Activities 1. Activities must further research in a CCS-related field linked to the UKCCSRC

Proposal/Strategy and UK national CCS research objectives as defined in the APGTF RD&D strategy.

2. The academic host at the overseas collaborating institution must have a track record of relevant CCS research activity.

3. Requests for support for travel should normally be based on a direct route between the UK and the overseas collaborator’s country, although missions to receiving organisations in more than one country within one mission will be considered.

4. Activities (including reporting and expenses claims after returning to the UK) must be completed within one year after notification of funding. If a funding offer is made, the applicant will confirm travel dates as part of the award process – further changes will only be allowed under exceptional circumstances.

5. Ineligible overseas collaborating institutions include industrial, private and commercial organisations.

6. Activities which are eligible for funding from other UKCCSRC sources will not normally be considered.

7. It is the responsibility of applicants to check for any visa requirements and travel restrictions for the mission, and should check the FCO travel advice website: www.fco.gov.uk prior to submitting an application.

7. Terms and Conditions of Awards a) The UKCCSRC will normally pay the lowest available travel fares. For example, this means that

low cost airlines should be used where appropriate. Applicants are strongly advised to keep costs low by arranging reasonably priced accommodation through host institutions where possible, either in university halls of residences or in local guesthouses. Awards will normally cover travel, accommodation, subsistence, laboratory costs and insurance. Host institutions (or other funding sources) will be expected to cover any bench fees. Costs associated with accompanying dependants or medical expenses are not normally covered under the terms of the award.

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b) It is a condition of the award that the applicant completes a report at the end of the collaborative activity along with a blog for publication on the UKCCSRC website. The blog can be submitted as a word document and must be accompanied by images and image captions to support the text. Expense claims will not normally be processed by the UKCCSRC until the report and blog has been submitted. Claims should be received by the UKCCSRC within one year of the award of the grant. Further applications for funding will not be considered by the UKCCSRC until these outputs have been submitted.

c) Additionally, successful applicants will normally be contacted six months after the collaborative activity and invited to provide information on any activities resulting from the mission (e.g. joint publications, etc.). The UKCCSRC welcomes news from successful applicants at any time.

d) If any lectures/talks are given during the collaborative activity, or if publications connected with the mission are produced, the support of the UKCCSRC should be acknowledged by means of the following statement:

“The author(s) would like to acknowledge the financial support of the UK CCS Research Centre (www.ukccsrc.ac.uk) in carrying out this work. The UKCCSRC is funded by the EPSRC as part of the RCUK Energy Programme.”

e) Where any of the proposed research with the collaborating institution requires ethics committee approval, the applicant will ensure that the project receives ethical approval from the host institution. Confirmation that the proposal has met local ethics standards (and also typical UK standards if they are more stringent than local standards) is required before the UKCCSRC will confirm the award of a grant from the International Collaboration Fund.

f) The award is granted for the purposes outlined in the application. The UKCCSRC must be informed of and approve any substantive changes to the proposed collaborative activity. Failure to receive written approval from the UKCCSRC about proposed changes could result in funding being withdrawn or withheld. Retrospective requests for funding or requests for reimbursements for activities that were not included in the approved application will not be considered under any circumstances.

g) The applicant’s home institute or organisation should normally reimburse expenses per the budget in the application. The applicant’s host institutes should then invoice the UKCCSRC after submission of the summary report detailed above. If the applicant’s home institution is not able to reimburse applicants, applicants may be reimbursed directly from the UKCCSRC. However it should be noted that typical UKCCSRC reimbursement times vary from six to eight weeks.

h) Where out of pocket upfront costs would make a collaborative activity possible, please contact us to discuss before expenditure takes place.

i) If the exchange’s actual expenses are expected to exceed estimates by more than 10%, applicants must seek advice before travelling from Dave Fitch, the Chief Operations and Finance Manager ([email protected]) on +44 131 650 8564.

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