The objective of SP1 CO₂ capture is to establish the scientific fundament that enables development of breakthrough CO₂ capture technologies. A roadmap of R&D needs for the three main CO₂ capture technologies in order to achieve zero emission power plants by 2020 is developed by the European Technology Platform for Zero Emission Fossil Fuel Power Plants (ZEP).11 Topics marked with red fonts are addressed by the BIGCCS Centre.

Strategy and value creation:
The breakthrough results from the activities in SP1 are generally expected where the fundamental research brings new knowledge of cardinal importance for the unit operation, i.e., the gas separating unit or the combustor:

• Environmentally friendly absorbent systems based on inorganic precipitating absorbents such as ammonium and sodium carbonate
• Solid sorbents with improved properties will be developed
• Novel concepts for hydrogen transfer membranes
• Novel combustors handling hydrogen or hydrogen-enriched fuels and oxy-fuel combustion at high pressure
• Industrial CCS; i.e., low temperature membrane systems showing higher potential when the CO₂ partial pressure is higher compared to gas power post combustion CO₂ capture

The potential for innovation is enhanced due to the integrated assessment activity that identifies the main challenges and evaluates the realisation potential of novel technologies.