CCS Trials and Errors
Applying CSIRO Developments in the Real World
Looking Ahead and Aiming for Net Zero Emissions
References and Further Reading
For more than a quarter of a century, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) has played a central role in shaping Australia’s Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) ambitions. A recent Impact Assessment Report, released to mark the agency’s 25-year milestone, offers a detailed look at how CSIRO helped move CCS from a theoretical concept to a far more tangible, practical, and scalable national capability.
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At the outset, CSIRO’s work was guided by a fundamental question: could CCS reduce the vast volume of carbon emissions produced in Australia and potentially offer solutions beyond its borders? Rather than treating this as a purely academic exercise, the agency approached it as a systems-level challenge. Early efforts focused on building the scientific and technical foundations for exploring CCS at scale, informed by existing literature, evolving government policy, and national investment priorities. At the same time, a growing sense of urgency within the scientific community - driven by the escalating risks of climate change - added momentum and focus to this foundational phase.
CCS Trials and Errors
As detailed in the Carbon Capture and Storage Impact Assessment Report, conducted by Consulting & Implementation Services (CIS), the next phase of CSIRO’s work shifted toward deepening scientific understanding through iterative experimentation and applied engineering.1 This was where CCS began to take shape, not just as an idea, but as a working technology.
A central focus was the development of chemical absorbents that efficiently capture carbon dioxide and release it under controlled conditions. Early investigations cast a wide net, but over time, cyclic amines emerged as leading candidates.2 These compounds were subjected to extensive laboratory testing before being evaluated in pilot-scale facilities across multiple international sites.
Through this process, researchers identified that cyclic amines derived from the secondary amine piperidine offered a useful balance of structural rigidity and thermal stability. This made them effective at releasing chemically bound carbon dioxide when heated. However, the picture was not entirely straightforward. These compounds also showed a tendency to react with nitrogen oxides and other flue gas components, producing undesirable byproducts - an issue that could not be ignored in real-world applications.
In response, CSIRO researchers adjusted course, exploring aromatic amines as an alternative. These compounds retained the structural advantages of cyclic systems while exhibiting lower reactivity, more akin to primary amines. Pilot-scale testing showed that benzylamine vapor performed well at capturing carbon dioxide but introduced a new challenge: the formation of solid deposits at higher concentrations, which could lead to equipment fouling.
Rather than abandoning the approach, the team refined it. By developing and testing benzylamine derivatives, CSIRO ultimately identified a formulation that balanced performance with operational stability. The resulting solvent system demonstrated continuous operation for more than 5,000 hours, marking a significant step toward industrial viability.
Applying CSIRO Developments in the Real World
As these chemical systems matured, CSIRO turned its attention to what is often called the “Valley of Death” - the difficult transition from promising laboratory results to commercially viable technologies. Bridging this gap required a shift in emphasis, from controlled experiments to full-scale deployment in industrial settings.
One of the most important testbeds for this transition has been the Otway International Test Centre, a dedicated site in Australia for the geological storage of carbon dioxide. Here, CSIRO demonstrated that carbon dioxide could be securely injected and stored underground, and that it could be monitored with high precision over time. This level of verification has been essential in building confidence among regulators and stakeholders, particularly for large-scale CCS projects.
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International collaboration has also played a key role in extending the reach of CSIRO’s work. A notable example is the partnership with US-based ION Clean Energy, which began after the company recognized the performance potential of one of CSIRO’s absorbent systems. The collaboration has continued to advance the technology, and in 2024, ION secured $45 million in financing from Chevron New Energies, a division of Chevron USA, and Carbon Direct Capital.3 This kind of investment signals growing confidence in CCS as a commercially relevant solution.
Cost, of course, remains one of the most persistent criticisms of CCS. CSIRO has addressed this challenge directly, with the 25-year report noting that its monitoring techniques can reduce the predicted lifetime cost of storage monitoring by up to 80 % compared with conventional methods.1 Improvements like this are critical, as they directly influence the economic feasibility of deploying CCS at scale.
Looking Ahead and Aiming for Net Zero Emissions
As CSIRO enters its second quarter-century of CCS research and development, the focus is shifting once again - this time toward scale. The scientific viability of CCS is no longer the primary question. Instead, the challenge lies in deploying these systems widely enough to meaningfully contribute to Australia’s net-zero targets.
One of the most promising strategies is the development of large-scale, multi-user CCS hubs. Moving beyond isolated pilot projects, CSIRO is now working to design integrated infrastructure capable of serving entire industrial regions. The Western Australia Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (WA CCUS) Hubs Study provides a clear example of this approach in action.4 By mapping subsurface storage capacity and conducting regional system analyses, the study helps create the conditions needed to attract private investment into shared CCS infrastructure.
Find out more: What is the Difference Between Carbon Storage and Sequestration?
These hubs are expected to do more than reduce emissions. They also have significant economic potential, particularly through job creation during construction and operation. In this sense, CCS is increasingly being framed as an environmental necessity and part of a broader industrial transition.
Equally important - if less tangible - is the role of public trust. CCS deployment depends on technical performance and economic viability, as well as societal acceptance. CSIRO has continued to engage with communities, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to build confidence in the safety and effectiveness of these technologies. This effort helps counter misinformation while supporting informed decision-making at local, national, and international levels.
Through this combination of scientific rigor, industrial collaboration, and public engagement, CSIRO has positioned Australia as a leading contributor to global CCS development. The next phase will test how effectively that leadership can translate into large-scale, real-world impact.
References and Further Reading
- Jenkins, C. (2025 December 2). Building Australia's Carbon Capture and Storage Foundation. CSIRO. https://www.csiro.au/en/research/technology-space/energy/Carbon-management/Carbon-Capture-and-Storage-Foundation
- Puxty, G. et al. (2026 January 9). Chemical bonds created on Australia’s carbon capture journey. Energy Source & Distribution. https://esdnews.com.au/the-chemical-bonds-created-on-australias-carbon-capture-journey/
- ION Clean Energy. (2024 April 4). ION Clean Energy Announces $45 Million Investment from Chevron New Energies and Carbon Direct Capital and Leadership Transition. https://www.ioncleanenergy.com/news-post/ion-clean-energy-announces-45-million-investment-from-chevron-new-energies-and-carbon-direct-capital-and-leadership-transition
- Department of Energy and Economic Diversification. (2023 November 27). New study into the potential of CCUS hubs in WA. https://www.wa.gov.au/government/announcements/new-study-the-potential-of-ccus-hubs-wa
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