The Victorian Government has officially opened the new Peter cook Centre for Carbon and Capture Storage (CCS) Research at the University of Melbourne.

 

The centre will host 30 scientists and engineers undertaking crucial work on CCS technologies.

 

The centre received a $6 million sponsorship from Rio Tinto to create a research platform that will be integrated with the Co-Operative Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Technologies (CO2CRC), operator of the existing Otway Project.

 

"The launch of the Peter Cook Centre for CCS Research is an exciting new chapter in Victoria's emergence as a leader in CCS and will help attract investment and the best and brightest scientists and engineers," Stat Minister for Energy and Resources Michael O’Brien said.

 

"The research carried out at this new centre will add to our understanding of this potential new industry; an industry which could deliver jobs, boost skills and attract investment, while strengthening Victoria's energy security in a low emissions future.

 

"I congratulate Rio Tinto on its investment in this important initiative and in the development of the next generation of CCS experts in science and engineering," Mr O'Brien said.

 

The research outcomes from the University of Melbourne and the Otway Project facilities will support Victoria's CCS centrepiece, the CarbonNet Project, and further the development of the CCS industry. CO2CRC is the lead research organisation for the CarbonNet Project.