Research in Action: Public - University of Calgary

Capturing the cause of climate change.
Global warming is arguably one of the world’s most pressing — and controversial — issues of the day.
And safe management of the greenhouse gas emissions that cause global climate change is a vital issue
for Alberta and Canada’s future prosperity.
The capture and storage of CO 2 is the focus of innovative research by one of North America’s leading energy
and environment experts — Dr. David Keith, of the University of Calgary’s Schulich School of Engineering and
the Institute for Sustainable Energy, Environment and Economy (ISEEE).
Named the inaugural Environmental Scientist of the Year by Canadian Geographic in 2006, Keith leads a
project to study the risks and benefits of sequestration of carbon dioxide in rock formations. Historically,
pumping CO 2 underground has been viewed in Canada primarily as an opportunity for advanced oil recovery.
“Climate change is our most pressing environmental challenge,” says Keith. “The world will eventually regulate
emissions in a serious way. As the U.S. inches ever closer to strong national regulations, there will be pressure
on Alberta as a very rich, very high emissions province to act quickly. CO 2 capture and storage can play a vital
role in allowing Alberta to meet the climate challenge with reasonable costs.”
Power plants with CO 2 capture are being developed in California, Norway, Scotland and Saskatchewan, and
several large commercial projects are already underway. Investment in CO 2 capture and storage technologies
is growing fast and will likely exceed $1 billion a year by 2010. Several international energy consortia have
approached Keith and his colleagues for direction as the research team explores the potential of accelerating
the absorption of carbon dioxide in saline aquifers by “stirring in” additional brine from nearby sources.
U of C launches innovative energy and environment program
In addition to leading ground-breaking research, the U of C is committed to developing future talent for the
energy and environment sector. In the spring of 2007, ISEEE will launch a new Energy and Environmental
Systems program under Keith’s direction. Unique in Canada, the graduate curriculum will prepare students to
tackle real-world energy and environmental problems. Students will combine a working knowledge of the
engineering of energy technologies and systems with the science underlying environmental problems from
energy use. They will explore the economics of energy and resource use and the social, legal and regulatory
environments that shape the energy system.
Keith is affiliated with similar programs at Carnegie Mellon University, Harvard University and the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, which have helped shape the Energy and Environmental Systems program content at
the U of C.
www.iseee.ca
University of Calgary Research in Action 16
ISEEE – Ensuring leadership in energy and environment The Institute for Sustainable
Energy, Environment and Economy (ISEEE) is a dynamic and unique model, created in
2003 through the University of Calgary’s academic plan. ISEEE delivers on a strategic
priority in this plan — that the U of C be recognized internationally as “Leading
Innovation in Energy and Environment.” ISEEE integrates multidisciplinary, missionfocused
research, education and innovation to ensure we have competitive energy
supplies, a clean environment and a strong economy. ISEEE works to advance
four core initiatives of vital importance to Alberta and Canada: Advanced Recovery
and Upgrading (of hydrocarbons); Sustainable Development Technologies/Alternative
Energy; Carbon Management; and Water Management.