COREu will demonstrate key enabling technologies in a CCS value chain and support the development of three new CCS routes in Central-East Europe (CEE), helping accelerate CCS development. COREu will (a) provide the means for development of an open-access, trans-national network (infrastructure and logistic) to connect emitters with storage sites in Europe, by identifying multimodal transport requirements, and developing emitters’ clusters to create the demand and the investment rationale, (b) increase the knowledge of the CCS value chain across Europe through interconnected initiatives, sharing of experience, knowledge and data to create a common framework that encompasses all key aspects of CCS deployment: technological know-how, business models, consensus management, monitoring, reporting and validation, policy framework, transport and storage safety. COREuU will contribute to 6.8Mt/year in CO2 reduction by 2035 and 36Mt/year by 2050, develop 8 innovations for Measurement Monitoring Verification, interoperability and Value Chain Monitoring, and improve the Internal Rate of Return of CO2 infrastructure investment by 6% through de-risking core technologies.
The COREU project is progressing across multiple areas aimed at supporting the deployment of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies in Europe. The project focuses on demonstrating safe and effective CO2 transport and storage, increasing the technological readiness of CCS innovations, and developing viable business models and governance structures. In terms of infrastructure, a prototype high-pressure CO2 storage tank has been constructed to enable truck-based transport. Compression systems and monitoring technologies, including subsea sensors and autonomous underwater vehicles, are being developed and tested. Geological studies have been conducted in Central and Eastern Europe to assess potential storage sites and transport routes, with ongoing data collection to support techno-economic evaluations. Several technological innovations are being advanced. These include carbon fibre cylinders for CO2 transport, systems for offshore injection, and monitoring tools such as wireless seabed sensors and CO2-sniffing underwater vehicles. These technologies are being tested at various readiness levels, with some nearing deployment. The project is also working on defining CO2 stream specifications by analyzing impurities and their effects on storage conditions. Experimental setups are being prepared to study corrosion, hydrate formation, and phase behavior of CO2 under different conditions. To support safe design and risk assessment, experiments on CO2 leakage and dispersion are underway, and a new open-source engineering tool is being developed. Quantitative risk assessments are also in progress for various transport modes. Efforts to optimize CO2 storage include the development of reservoir and well-flow models, uncertainty analysis tools, and site-specific simulations. Environmental monitoring campaigns have been conducted at the Prinos site and other locations to establish baseline conditions and assess potential impacts. The project is assessing multimodal transport options, including pipelines, ships, trains, and trucks, and is developing models to evaluate their interoperability. A monitoring tool is being customized to track CO2 flow and composition across the value chain. Social acceptance is being addressed through stakeholder engagement, surveys, educational activities, and communication strategies. The project is also exploring policy options and compensation schemes to enhance community involvement. Environmental impact monitoring includes the use of continuous sensors and environmental DNA analysis. Baseline data collection has been conducted during seasonal campaigns, and prototype sensors have been tested. Finally, the project is engaging with external stakeholders through communication platforms, educational tools, and public events. Initiatives such as the COREU4Learn platform and the establishment of Emission Reduction Alliances aim to support broader CCS deployment across Europe.
