Effects of CO2-stream impurities on CO2 transport and storage
HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions
Basic Information
- Identifier
- HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D3-25
- Programme
- Cluster 5 Call 02-2025 (WP 2025)
- Programme Period
- 2021 - 2027
- Status
- Closed (31094503)
- Opening Date
- May 6, 2025
- Deadline
- September 3, 2025
- Deadline Model
- single-stage
- Budget
- €5,000,000
- Min Grant Amount
- €5,000,000
- Max Grant Amount
- €5,000,000
- Expected Number of Grants
- 1
- Keywords
- HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D3-25HORIZON-CL5-2025-02
Description
The design and safe operation of a CO2 transport and storage system represents specific challenges as it involves CO2 streams at different flow rates, pressures and states (liquid, gaseous, super critical, dissolved in water), and with different compositions and impurities. The presence of impurities will change the chemical and thermophysical properties with respect to a pure CO2 fluid. When CO2 is transported in pipelines at conditions close to its critical temperature and pressure, the impact of impurities on the thermophysical properties can become substantial. High levels of CO2 stream purity must be achieved to avoid two-phase flow during pipeline transportation. In addition, reactive impurities can form strong acids giving unacceptable corrosion of pipelines, tubings and ships, and can impact on injectivity, well integrity and seal integrity of geological storage sites. Directive 2009/31/EC regulates that CO2 streams, while they may contain incidental associated substances from the source, capture or injection process, the concentrations of these substances should be below levels that would adversely affect the integrity of the storage site or the relevant transport infrastructure and not pose a significant risk to the environment or human health. Member States should ensure that storage site operators only accept and inject CO2 streams if a risk assessment shows that these conditions are met.
The Communication on Industrial Carbon Management[1] underlines the need for pre-normative research on the physical and chemical behaviour of impure CO2 in order to contribute to relevant guidelines and standardisation work. This was also emphasised in a report prepared by a stakeholder group on CO2 standards under the CCUS Forum[2].
Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:
- Contribution to an accurate understanding of the effects of impure (and possibly corrosive) CO2 flows along the transport network (in particular pipelines and shipping) or in the storage complex in line with Art. 12 of Directive 2009/31/EC, including any engineered or geological barriers to leakage in the near-well region;
- Inform relevant guidelines and contribute to standardisation work through improved understanding of the physical and chemical behaviour of impure CO2.
Based on the application chosen (either transport or storage), projects have to deliver:
- Recommendations for design and operation of pipelines and/or ship offloading, including recommendations for public health and safety requirements and for protective and/or mitigating material and/or approaches and/or monitoring technology to avoid adverse effects on the integrity of the relevant transport infrastructure caused by impurities;
- Recommendations for public health and safety requirements and for protective and/or mitigating material and/or approaches and/or monitoring technology to avoid adverse effects on the integrity of the storage complex;
- Guidance and recommendations for technology providers, regulatory authorities, certification and standardisation bodies, and define and implement ambitious dissemination actions to promote the project results and support their uptake.
Projects can address, for example, the following issues:
- Transient flow modelling along the pipeline network and;
- Combined thermodynamic and corrosion modelling to predict corrosion rates under different conditions;
- Reactive transport and geochemical modelling of the storage reservoir in the near-well zone, including associated geological barriers to leakage;
- Generation of experimental data on the geochemical reactions of reservoir rocks, caprocks, well cements and fault seals exposed to impure CO2 under the span of pressure and temperature regimes relevant for planned and future storage projects in saline aquifers, depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs and or mafic and ultra mafic formations for mineral storage of CO2, to tune existing and/or new models;
- Generation of experimental data on thermophysical and corrosive properties of CO2-rich mixtures under CCS-relevant conditions, to tune existing or new models;
- Impact of impurities on various equipment (e.g., valves, gaskets, compressors, instrumentation), in particular on non-metallic components in the CO2 transportation system;
- Impact of impurities on the physical behaviour and geochemical interaction of the CO2 stream within the storage complex;
- Impact of achieving very low impurity levels on the relative costs of competing capture technologies and the trade-off with costs for CO2 transportation and geological storage;
- Development of a systematic method to understand limits for impurities and define specifications for transport and storage infrastructure.
The use of the European Research Infrastructure for CO2 Capture, Utilisation, Transport and Storage ECCSEL is encouraged but not mandatory.
Selected projects are encouraged to seek synergy with possible standardisation activities performed by CEN, CENELEC, ISO and ETSI on pre-normative research for standards for the transport and permanent storage of carbon dioxide[3].
International cooperation is encouraged, in particular with projects or partners from the United States.
[1] EUR-Lex - 52024DC0062 - EN - EUR-Lex (europa.eu)
[3] Open call for proposal, 6 June 2024. See: Support to Standardisation activities performed by CEN, CENELEC and ETSI - European Commission (europa.eu)
Destination & Scope
This Destination includes activities targeting a sustainable, secure and competitive energy supply. In line with the scope of cluster 5, this includes activities in the areas of renewable energy; energy system, grids and storage; as well as Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS).
This Destination contributes directly to the Strategic Plan’s Key Strategic Orientations ‘Green transition’, ‘Digital transition’ and ‘A more resilient, competitive, inclusive and democratic Europe’.
In line with the Strategic Plan, the overall expected impact of this Destination is to contribute to the ‘Ensuring more sustainable, secure and competitive energy supply through solutions for smart energy systems based on renewable energy solutions’.
This destination contributes to the activities of the Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET Plan) and its implementation working groups.
The main impacts to be generated by topics under this Destination are:
Renewable energy
- Energy producers have access to competitive European renewable energy and renewable fuel technologies and deploy them to enhance the EU’s energy security. This will contribute to the 2030 “Fit for 55” targets (in particular, at least 42.5% renewable energy share and aiming for 45% in the EU energy consumption, 5.5% advanced biofuels and renewable fuels of non-biological origin share in EU fuel consumption). It will also contribute to the indicative target of at least 5% innovative renewable energy technology for the newly installed renewable energy capacity. By 2050, climate neutrality in the energy sector will be achieved in a sustainable way in environmental (e.g., biodiversity, multiple uses of land and water, natural resources, pollution) and socioeconomic terms, and in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.
- Technology providers have access to European, reliable, sustainable, and affordable value chains of renewable energy and renewable fuel technologies.
- Economic sectors benefit from better integration of renewable energy and renewable fuel-based solutions that are among others cost-effective, efficient, flexible, reliable, and sustainable. Such integration is facilitated by digital technologies and by renewable energy technologies that provide network stability and reliability.
- European researchers benefit from a stronger community and from a reinforced scientific basis on renewable energy and renewable fuel technologies, also through international collaborations.
- European industries benefit from a reinforced export potential of renewable energy and renewable fuel technologies, also through international collaborations.
- European industries become frontrunners and maintain technological leadership in innovative renewable energy technologies in line with the energy union strategy.
- European citizens, including disadvantaged and vulnerable groups, have access to an energy market that is affordable, fair and equitable, more resilient, uses all different types of local renewable energy resources, and is less dependent on fossil fuels. Local communities benefit from a more decentralised and secure energy system and from multiple uses of land and water. Less citizens experience fuel and energy poverty.
- Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET Plan) implementation working groups on solar photovoltaics, solar thermal technologies, renewable fuels and bioenergy, wind energy, geothermal energy, and ocean energy benefit from a reinforced scientific basis and collaboration on renewable energy and renewable fuel technologies towards meeting the ambitious targets of the European Green Deal.
Energy systems, grids & storage
R&I actions will support the just digital and green transformation of the energy system through advanced solutions for accelerating the energy systems integration and decarbonisation. The developed clean, sustainable solutions will contribute to making the energy system and supply more reliable, resilient, and secure. The solutions will contribute to increase flexibility and grid hosting capacity for renewables through optimising cross sector integration and grid scale storage. They will enhance the competitiveness of the European value chain, reduce pressure on resources (also by making technologies ‘circular by design’) and decrease dependencies.
Innovative and cost-effective energy storage (integration) solutions are developed, that provide flexibility to the energy system, reduce total cost of grid operation and enhancement and that minimise the use of critical raw materials and ensure, to the best extent possible, their reuse and recycling, are key elements of the energy system.
Carbon capture, use and storage (CCUS) and carbon dioxide removal (CDR)
- Accelerated development of carbon capture, use and storage (CCUS) as a CO2 emission mitigation option in electricity generation, in industry applications and carbon dioxide removal technologies (including conversion of CO2 to energy products).
- Reduced EU’s dependency on imported fossil fuels and increased energy security, reduced energy system’s vulnerability to the impacts of the changing climate.
Eligibility & Conditions
General conditions
1. Admissibility Conditions: Proposal page limit and layout
2. Eligible Countries
described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.
3. Other Eligible Conditions
described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion
described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
5a. Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds
In order to ensure a balanced portfolio of activities covering either (i) transport infrastructure or (ii) storage infrastructure, grants will be awarded not only in order of ranking but at least also to one proposal that is the highest ranked within each area, provided they attain all thresholds (and subject to available budget).
are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.
5b. Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes
are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.
5c. Evaluation and award: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement
described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.
6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants
Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2021-2025). [[This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-decision_he_en.pdf]].
described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Specific conditions
described in the [specific topic of the Work Programme]
Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreement (MGA):
Application form templates — the application form specific to this call is available in the Submission System
Standard application form (HE RIA, IA)
Evaluation form templates — will be used with the necessary adaptations
Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA)
Guidance
Model Grant Agreements (MGA)
Call-specific instructions
Additional documents:
HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 1. General Introduction
HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 8. Climate, Energy and Mobility
HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 14. General Annexes
HE Framework Programme 2021/695
HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764
EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509
Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme
Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment
EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement
Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual
Support & Resources
Online Manual is your guide on the procedures from proposal submission to managing your grant.
Horizon Europe Programme Guide contains the detailed guidance to the structure, budget and political priorities of Horizon Europe.
Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ – find the answers to most frequently asked questions on submission of proposals, evaluation and grant management.
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Latest Updates
PROPOSAL NUMBERS
Call HORIZON-CL5-2025-02 has closed on the 03/09/2025 (17:00).
233 proposals have been submitted.
The breakdown per topic is:
- HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D2-03 (IA): 16 proposals
- HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D2-06 (CSA): 1 proposal
- HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D2-08 (RIA): 38 proposals
- HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D2-10 (COFUND): 1 proposal
- HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D2-11 (CSA): 20 proposals
- HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D2-12 (CSA): 0 proposals
- HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D3-03 (IA): 17 proposals
- HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D3-04 (RIA): 19 proposals
- HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D3-06 (IA): 23 proposals
- HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D3-09 (IA): 2 proposals
- HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D3-11 (IA): 18 proposals
- HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D3-15 (CSA): 12 proposals
- HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D3-16 (CSA): 2 proposals
- HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D3-17 (IA): 7 proposals
- HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D3-21 (IA): 12 proposals
- HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D3-25 (RIA): 14 proposals
- HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D3-26 (RIA): 1 proposal
- HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D3-27 (IA): 30 proposals
Evaluation results are expected to be communicated in December 2025.
Please note that the deadline of all 18 topics under call HORIZON-CL5-2025-02 has been postponed from 02 September 2025 to 03 September 2025 - 17:00:00 Brussels local time.