Southern Company to lead global carbon-capture research initiative

Southern Company said recently that it will lead the Carbon Capture International Test Center Network (ITCN), a global group that is encouraging research and development (R&D) into carbon-capture technologies.

"Southern Company is at the forefront of worldwide efforts to create the next generation of carbon-capture technologies," Kimberly Greene, Southern Company's executive vice president and chief operating officer, said. "Through our partnership with DOE (the Department of Energy) and ITCN members, we are building on our commitment to finding real solutions by developing advanced, coal-based technologies."

Southern also manages the National Carbon Capture Center (NCCC), a research facility within the DOE that will serve as a host site for the ITCN for two year. Prior to this, ITCN was managed by the Technology Centre Mongstad in Norway since 2013.

ITCN focuses on research and development for technology and methods to enhance international capabilities in utilizing carbon capture as a means to reduce emissions into the atmosphere. It was established in 2012 to further develop and commercialize carbon-capture technology to mitigate the impact of coal- and natural gas-powered facilities.

Southern said it has managed approximately $2 billion in research and development project investments since 1960.