Resources and Energy Minister for Western Australia Francis Logan has announced an agreement between the Western Australian Government’s Coal Futures Group and the Curtin University of Technology to investigate the establishment of a carbon capture and sequestration centre of excellence.
 
Mr Logan said the agreement was part of the State Government’s commitment to create a sustainable coal industry in WA and potentially lead to cleaner power generation.
 
“The proposed WA Centre for Carbon Capture and Sequestration would be established to try and unlock technologies and research that will be better for the environment and expel less greenhouse gases,” he said.
 
“It would look at the potential for carbon capture and storage, or geo-sequestration, as well as deliver professional and technical training programs in clean coal technology.”
 
Curtin University of Technology deputy vice-chancellor Professor Linda Kristjanson said she was excited by the potential of such a centre and was pleased that it would be located at Curtin.
 
“Curtin University has been researching improved coal performance for many years and has been training students, many from overseas, in coal research and coal technologies,” Professor Kristjanson said.
 
“The proposed centre will also be located close to other resources-based research and technology centres, such as the Western Australia Energy Research Alliance.”
 
Mr Logan said he was keen for the facility to have a base in Collie, the home of WA’s coal industry.
 
Coal Futures Group chairman and Collie MLA Mick Murray said the group had been careful to choose program partners that would best add value to Collie and the coal industry.
 
“I am therefore excited at what the Curtin University of Technology and the other groups can bring to Collie in the future,” Mr Murray said.
 
The Minister said the Coal Futures Group was making a significant contribution towards the future of Collie and the coal industry.
 
“Their contribution is complementing the work being completed by the State’s coal companies to develop new opportunities for coal and coal products,” he said.  
 
“Their work has included a report identifying the most suitable location for geosequestration in the South-West and the sponsorship of major Australian study into coal gasification.