International CO₂ prize to SINTEF scientist

Prize winner Erik Lindeberg. Photo: Gry Karin Stimo / SINTEF

Candidates for the award were nominated through an open international process, and the winner was chosen by a three-man jury of representatives of the International Energy Agency (IEA), the British Geological Survey and Statoil.

This is the first time this award has been made, and it is intended for scientists who have made significant contributions to the field of capturing, transporting or storing CO₂ (Carbon Capture and Storage, or CCS).

The award was made at the Trondheim CCS conference on June 15th, and the award will be made every two years in the future.

The jury emphasised that Lindeberg played a central role in producing the basic concept of storing CO₂ from fossil-fuelled power stations in geological strata beneath the seabed, out of consideration for the climate. The jury statement also pointed out that his pioneering efforts have been of global significance.

It was as far back as 1986 that Erik Lindeberg and his SINTEF colleague Torleif Holt began to develop a concept that led to a project on the topic of “gas-fuelled power stations with CO₂ treatment”. Their pioneering project was funded by Statoil.

By Svein Tønseth