CO2 capture and storage (CCS) is one of several technologies that can contribute to significant reductions in global CO2 emissions. CCS include capture, transport and storage of CO2. In short, the CO2 is captured - purified - from large emission sources such as coal-fired power plants and industrial facilities. Then it is transported by pipes or by ship to a suitable storage location. Here, CO2 will be injected and stored securely in suitable geological formations.

There is technology for CO2 capture available already, but there are also many gaps in our knowledge that must be filled. Extensive research, development and demonstration is necessary to develop more efficient technology that can be commercialized and used worldwide.

CLIMIT is Norway's public program to accelerate the commercialization of CCS. Through the program there can be applied for funding for research, development and demonstration of technologies for CCS.

The main objectives of CLIMIT are:

• Long-term and broad-based support for research and development of technologies for CCS in focus areas.
• Contribute to piloting and demonstration of technologies.
• Encourage the development of new, innovative technology that can be supported in pilot and demonstration projects by 2015.
• Contribute to the commercialization of new and innovative technologies in the period after 2015-20.

There are details of the prioritized focus areas in CLIMIT Programme Plan. This can be downloaded from the link from the menu on the right.

The CLIMIT program is administrated by both the Norwegian Research Council and Gassnova in unison. The Research Council manages research and development activities while Gassnova manages the development, piloting and demonstration of CCS technology. Gassnova has overall responsibility for the program.

Support Criteria

The program will provide support to activities in all phases of research, development and commercialization of technological solutions. However, it is essential that the activities are in line with the priorities set out in the Programme Plan.

As a rule, the Research Council will process the applications and provide support to activities within research, while Gassnova will support industrial development in the form of prototypes and demonstration projects.

Applications to the Research Council must be submitted to calls for proposals with fixed deadlines. There are usually several calls during a year, but the biggest announcement for new project proposals usually occurs every fall with a deadline typically early September.

Gassnova has an open ended call without deadlines for submitting proposals.

Details on how to apply for funding from CLIMIT can be found in the menu on the right and from the program's website at climit.no.

The budget for CLIMIT R&D, the part of the programme that is administrated by the Research Council of Norway, is 90 million NOK for 2013. CLIMIT Demo, administrated by Gassnova has a similar budget. These funds come from the Ministry of Oil and Energy.