What is Project Greensand?
Denmark is known for taking the lead when it comes to the green transition. With CO2 storage in the North Sea, we are taking another step. As a part of the climate solution.
Project Greensand works to reduce CO2 emissions in the atmosphere. This is done by capturing CO2 emissions and storing it in the subsoil of the North Sea.
Storage of CO2 in the subsoil
The climate is challenged, and comprehensive measures must be taken to minimize the consequences. We cannot solve the problems only through reducing CO2 emissions globally, we must also introduce further technological measures to achieve the goals of limiting global warming.
Part of the solution lies in a well-proven technology that has existed for over 40 years: CO2 storage in the subsoil in geologically suitable layers. Capture and storage of CO2 is called CCS.
CO2 can be captured when it is emitted into the atmosphere, and it can be stored deep underground, where nature itself makes sure that it stays there.
How storage of CO2 works
Frequently asked questions
Why store CO2 instead of reducing emissions?
We are well underway with a green transformation of Denmark. We install photovoltaic systems, build offshore wind farms, and we replace the petrol and diesel cars with electric cars. It is a step in the right direction - but it is not enough. We must also remove CO2 from the known emission sources if possible and store it underground if we are to solve the climate crisis. Capture and storage of CO2 has a great potential to reduce the amount of CO2 emitted into the atmosphere efficiently and quickly. It cannot stand alone, but it is an important tool. CO2 storage is part of the solution.
What is CO2 storage?
Capture and storage of CO2 goes by the name CCS. It stands for Carbon Capture Storage. The United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) points out that CCS has the potential to make a significant contribution to achieving the goal of reducing CO2 emissions. You capture CO2 and store it in the subsoil. Project Greensand works to develop and demonstrate that CO2 can be stored underground in the Danish part of the North Sea. This will take place in the Siri field, which is more than 200 kilometers west of the Danish coast.
How much CO2 can Project Greensand store?
In the short run, Project Greensand can store up to 1,5 million tonnes of CO2 per year in 2025/2026. By the year 2030, Project Greensand can store up to 8 million tonnes of CO2 per year. This corresponds to the emission from approximately 725.000 Danes a year - or more than 13% of Denmark's annual CO2 emissions.
The Danish subsoil is with its many sandstone formations in the North Sea subsoil well suited for storing CO2. There is actually room enough to store all the CO2 that Danish society has historically emitted - and more. The Danish subsoil is estimated to be able to store the next 500 years of CO2 emissions from Denmark at the current emission level.
Who is behind
Project Greensand
The consortium behind Project Greensand is collaborating to make a significant contribution to the green transition in Denmark. The consortium consists of 23 different Danish and international partners, who contribute with experience and expert knowledge from each of their areas.
