To realize the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, announced in the Strategic Energy Plan approved by the Japanese Cabinet in October 2021, NEDO will carry out activities in this project related to the research, development, and demonstration of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies. These activities include the development of monitoring technologies for the safe storage of CO₂ through large-scale demonstration testing and the conduct of surveys on related technologies.

In addition, based on Japan’s Long-term Strategy under the Paris Agreement, NEDO will conduct demonstration testing for transporting captured CO₂ to storage and utilization facilities, aiming for the near-term commercialization of CCUS technologies by integrating processes related to CO₂ separation, capture, transportation, storage, and utilization.

To realize this goal, the following activities are being carried out:

1. Large-scale CO₂ capture and storage (CCS) demonstration testing at Tomakomai

This testing involves separating/capturing CO₂ (at a level of approximately 100,000 tons per year) from gas emitted by oil refineries and then storing the CO₂ underground at a depth of more than 1,000 meters. Specifically, testing is being carried out on the following: the operation of equipment that separates/captures CO₂ at a level of approximately 100,000 tons per year, the injection and storage of CO₂ at a level of approximately 100,000 tons per year, and the monitoring of stored CO₂.

2. R&D of CO₂ storage technologies to safely carry out CCS operations

This R&D activity aims to realize the commercialization of technologies necessary to safely store CO₂ on a large scale. Specifically, NEDO is carrying out the following activities: the development of technology to manage the safety of large-scale CO₂ injection and storage operations, the development of technology to effectively inject CO₂ into large-scale reservoirs, the establishment of conditions for disseminating CCS technologies, and the establishment of CCS-related standards.

3. R&D on CO₂ separation/capture technologies

This R&D activity aims to greatly reduce costs associated with CO₂ separation/capture by developing commercial technologies in the following areas:

A. Commercialization of advanced solid absorbents for CO₂ capture

Using the chemical absorption method, a technology for CO₂ separation/capture, plant testing facilities for combustion exhaust gas are employed to conduct research aimed at realizing the commercialization of solid amine absorbents, which enable high-efficiency capture of CO₂ emissions.

B. Commercialization of CO₂ separation membrane systems

Real gas is used to conduct research aimed at realizing the commercialization of separation membrane technologies effective at separating/capturing CO₂ from high-pressure gas generated as a result of coal gasification combined cycle power generation.