Energy ministry, KACST ink MoU to set up joint center for carbon capture, storage tech

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy and the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a joint center for research on carbon capture, and its storage and usage technologies.

The move aims to provide scientific support for the Kingdom’s carbon emissions commitments, the ministry said in a statement.

Under the MoU, both parties will develop a general framework to encourage research and development in the field of carbon capture, storage and usage research techniques, unite efforts among research entities, cooperate with global centers, and focus on the Kingdom’s priorities, thus contributing to the diversification of its economic resources.

The preliminary agreement includes promoting the exchange of statistical information and data for research and joint ventures, and the exchange of scientific and research expertise and technical advice between the parties.

It also includes research and development in carbon capture technologies at fixed sources of emissions such as power plants and cement plants, and seeks to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen oxide emissions using oxygen combustion technology, and the development of carbon dioxide-to-solar photovoltaic conversion systems.

The MoU also aims to develop CO2 injection techniques with polymeric materials and fly ash in reservoirs, and develop chemical catalysts for converting captured CO2 into high-performance polycarbonate.