Washington, D.C. - A Department of Energy (DOE) program that helps graduate students and early career professionals gain hands-on field research experience in areas related to carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) is accepting applications until April 15.

The Research Experience in Carbon Sequestration (RECS) initiative is supported by DOE’s Office of Fossil Energy and its National Energy Technology Laboratory. A collaboration between EnTech Strategies, Southern Company and SECARB-Ed, RECS 2012 isscheduled for June 3-13, in Birmingham, AL.

An intensive science and field-based program, RECS 2012 will combine background briefings with group exercises and field activities at an integrated CCUS project, and visits to a power plant, core laboratory and the National Carbon Capture Center. Topics cover the range of CCUS deployment issues with a particular focus on carbon dioxide (CO2) enhanced oil recovery/carbon storage. Participants will gain hands-on experience designing a carbon storage pilot project, modeling CO2 injection and subsurface fluid flow and analyzing capture technologies. RECS faculty is comprised of globally recognized scientists and industry leaders, including Dr. Howard Herzog of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as the keynote speaker.

Applicants should be early career professionals, Ph.D. or masters students with backgrounds in geology, chemistry, hydrology, physics, engineering, climate science and related fields. Enrollment is limited to 30, and applicants can be from the United States or abroad.

RECS is tuition-free and the program covers all housing and meal costs. In addition, a travel allowance that should cover all or most travel may be provided. Application instructions are found on the RECS website.

CCUS is a combination of technologies for capturing, compressing, transporting, using and/or permanently storing CO2 emissions from large, stationary fossil energy facilities. Many experts view it as a promising component of a wider "portfolio" strategy (including increased efficiencies, greater use of nuclear and renewable energy, and other approaches) for achieving significant reductions in atmospheric CO2 emissions.

Founded in 2004, RECS was the first program to offer an intensive hands-on CCUS program to young scientists and engineers. It has become the premier summer research experience for students and young professionals interested in this area.

 

<p>FECommunications@hq.doe.gov</p><p>&nbsp;</p>