"Geological CO2 storage at the pilot site Ketzin - safe and reliable"
In the context of climate policy, the storage of carbon dioxide (CO2) in deep geological formations is seen as a potential means to reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate respective global warming effects. However, residents living near possible storage sites are concerned about this technology: Is it feasible to store CO2 safely and on the long term without endangering humans or the environment? Science and technology can provide answers to this question. In this context the GFZ driven experimental pilot site at Ketzin demonstrates the safe and reliable injection of CO2 into a saline aquifer on the research scale.
The work carried out so far has fostered the development and evaluation of monitoring technology which can serve as the basis for management rules and safety standards and emphasize the general geological feasibility of the technology.
A central question for further research is to determine which storage capacities can be realized while adhering to the required standards and termination criteria for each individual storage location.