Newsletter #3 - November 2022
In this newsletter, we are will share with you what Aramis is currently working on. For example, we will look into the possibilities for enhancing nature in two hackathons. Universities, knowledge institutes, nature and environmental organisations and our own technicians have been invited to these hackatons.
Aramis is getting increasingly well-known both in the Netherlands and abroad, and we are being invited to speak at conferences more often. For instance, Alexander Vink addressed the Carbon Storage Dialogues event in The Hague, and Anneke Kleinpenning spoke at the CO2GeoNet Open Forum in Venice.
In this edition, you can also read about the views submitted on the draft Memorandum of Scope and Level of Detail, and we provide an update on Aramis's PCI status. Naturally, we briefly reflect on the Dutch Council of State's ruling on the construction exemption as well.
We hope you enjoy reading our newsletter.
ARAMIS HACKATHONS: ENHANCING NATURE
Aramis is contributing to the Dutch energy transition, but we are also doing a lot more. By constructing 190+ km of trunkline – essential for transporting CO2 to empty gas fields in the North Sea – Aramis will possibly help to create new natural eco systemsand encourage biodiversity.
Freija Rappoldt - Stakeholder Manager
Opportunities for enhancing nature
As Aramis, we want to explore the potential of enhancing nature. This might include, for example, smart adjustments to the design of the trunkline, exclusion zones and opportunities in and around the platforms. All with the aim of kick-starting biodiversity and improving natural ecosystems in the North Sea.
To identify all options for enhancing nature, we will work together with universities, knowledge institutes, nature and environmental organisations and our own technicians. Therefore, we have organised two Aramis Hackathons on this topic inDecember and January.
Hackathons
During the first hackathon in December, teams will compete against each other, using a longlist of known nature-inclusive measures. The teams will add to this list and will identify the options that are most promising for Aramis. During the second hackathon in January, we will prioritise the best solutions and their implementation.
The hackathons will be supervised by experts from Wageningen University & Research and Royal HaskoningDHV. Participants are our own technicians, (marine) ecologists, nature and environmental specialists and scientists.
We are looking forward to these hackathons and cannot wait to see what the teams come up with. We will return to this in more detail in the next newsletter.
UPDATE ON PROJECT OF COMMON INTEREST
In our previous newsletter, we mentioned that Aramis is a Project of Common Interest (PCI). Every two years, new projects can apply for PCI status and existing ones can renew their position.
On 17 October, the EU issued a call for the ‘Sixth PCI List’ for PCIs that fall under the new Energy Infrastructure Regulation. The list includes Aramis. One of the changes to the regulations is that CO2 storage is now recognised, which presents opportunities for additional EU support for developing storage sites. The deadline for applications is 15 December, after which the EU will determine the new PCI list during the second half of 2023.
For more information, see: Call for applications for candidate projects in all categories under new Energy Infrastructure Regulation | European Commission (europa.eu)
VIEWS RECEIVED
The draft Memorandum of Scope and Level of Detail was available for inspection in June and July. This memorandum sets out the scope of the next phase of the project, including its location and potential alternatives and variations. The scope also states which environmental studies will be conducted and which environmental impacts will be investigated further.
Everyone was able to submit their views on the draft memorandum, such as additional or different studies and other options. Seven views were submitted. The Dutch ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy responds to the views and indicates whether and where these will be taken into account in the next phase. Together with the Ministry, Aramis has formulated the responses. We are very happy with the views submitted. These will help us gain a better understanding of any potential concerns and indicate areas that may require more attention in the next stage.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy will officially adopt the Memorandum this year, including responses to the views. In the memorandum, those who submitted views will be able to read what will be done with their input.
The next step in the procedure is to conduct the environmental studies and draw up documents such as the Environmental Impact Assessment and a Comprehensive Impact Analysis.
The views and responses are public and can be found at www.rvo.nl/aramis.
CONGRESS PARTICIPATION
Aramis is becoming increasingly well-known, and our public profile is on the rise. As a result, we are receiving more requests to share our story. For example, Aramis was represented at the Carbon Storage Dialogues and at the 15th CO2GeoNet Open Forum.
Carbon Storage Dialogues
Aramis: first project to implement the North Sea Agreement
Alexander Vink, a project lead for Aramis, gave a presentation at the Carbon Storage Dialogues, describing Aramis's current project status. This was one of EBN sessions during the 'Week of the North Sea', held from 10-13 October.
"It was an interesting and well-organised meeting where I was given the opportunity to discuss Aramis's progress”, says Alexander.
He adds: “We often talk about technology, pipelines and economic models – all very important. But something else I wanted to highlight is the public impact of what we are doing. Aramis is the first project to implement the North Sea Agreement, and nature enhancement and protecting species are integral to this.”
Alexander explains: “Together with the North Sea Foundation, Natuur & Milieu and knowledge institutes such as Delft University of Technology and Wageningen University & Research, we are investigating the possibilities for enhancing nature. In other words, we are working on a project that has respect for nature."
CO2GeoNet Open Forum – September 20-21 in Venice
Anneke Kleinpenning, project lead Technical Workstream Aramis, was one of the speakers at the 15th Open Forum on CCS, organised by CO2Geonet. The forum focused on progress to date and how we can accelerate CO2 storage to help meet climate targets. Anneke’s presentation was part of the theme session `Developing hubs and clusters in Europe’.
Anneke: “Together with some industrial parties we have already managed to conclude Head of Terms that will be the basis for building the Aramis CCS value chain. Of course, we are very proud of that. We can really call this a milestone!”
Attendees were pleasantly surprised by Aramis’s progress. Anneke states: “I received many compliments on how far along we are in developing such a complicated CCS project. People at the event also strongly urged us to place Aramis in the spotlight more because of our progress – and we will!”
Some of the questions asked during the event:
- What can governments do to stimulate the development of CCS projects?
- Who should take the initiative to play the integrator role, linking storage to emitters?
- How did you decide to build oversized, and how do you know 22 MTPA is within reach from emitter and storage perspectives?
- Are you sure you can build and acquire a permit for the trunkline?
In addition to presenting the Aramis project, Anneke participated in a panel that included representatives from ENI and Norwegian/French research institutes such as Sintef and BRGM/IGME.
We also attended:
- CCUS Forum, 27-28 October, Oslo, Norway. Joep Sweyen, EBN public affairs advisor, talked about Aramis.
- Noordzeedagen (North Sea Days), 3-4 November, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
Would you like us to speak at your conference or event? You can get in touch at
info@aramis-ccs.com, or ask your contact person at Aramis.
COUNCIL OF STATE INTERLOCUTORY VERDICT: CONSTRUCTION EXEMPTION OFF THE TABLE
On Wednesday, 2 November, the Dutch Council of State issued an interlocutory verdict on Porthos's use of the statutory construction exemption. The environmental organisation Mobilisation for the Environment (MOB) had lodged an appeal against it. The appeal does not focus on CO2 storage in general or Porthos specifically, but on the actual principle of the construction exemption. The exemption means that no permit is required for nitrogen emissions resulting from project construction.
The nitrogen construction exemption does not comply with European nature conservation law. The Council of State has therefore found that the exemption may not be used for construction projects. As a result of this ruling, the construction exemption is off the table. For Porthos, this ruling means delays for the project.
Aramis’s response
We will be examining the interlocutory verdict of the Council of State and its potential impact. Aramis has a key role in the large-scale reduction of CO2 emissions, helping to meet Dutch and European climate targets. Climate change will not wait for anyone, so together with partners, clients and governments, Aramis will continue to work on the energy transition.
More information:
Full text of the Council of State ruling (in Dutch)
ABOUT ARAMIS
Aramis offers a CCS solution that will contribute to the objectives of the Dutch National Climate Agreement and the European Green Deal by providing CO2 transport infrastructure for hard-to-abate industries. Together with you Aramis contributes significantly to large scale CO2 reduction in the Netherlands and North-West Europe. Your reliable partner, with world-class knowledge and expertise, our scale and unique ‘open acces’: that is Aramis.
For more information:
Send an email to info@aramis-ccs.com.