THINKING FORWARD

We’re innovating to connect the way we live today, to a net-zero emissions future

Global challenges. Technological solutions

There are many paths to a net-zero carbon emissions world. We need to be open-minded to using proven, trusted technology to reduce the carbon footprint of today’s industries. These low emission technologies, working alongside renewables, can help unlock a clean energy future.

The technology of lowering emissions

Innovation and technology are time-tested ingredients for progress. There is no one answer. Change can come from anywhere. And the experts agree low emission technologies (LETs) are crucial in reaching our international climate commitments.

LETs are advanced technologies designed to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate other environmental impacts. They can be used for a number of heavy industries, including power and electricity generation, mining processes, and cement, steel and fertiliser production.

A broad range of proven low emission technologies continue to be developed and increase in capability. Carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS) is one type of LET and is removing the equivalent of about 10 million cars worth of emissions every year. From Norway to Canada, the US, Australia and Japan there are currently 26 working, large scale carbon-capture facilities, removing emissions from steel and cement manufacturing, refineries and even power stations. There are another 34 in development and three under construction.

Who is Low Emission Technology Australia?

LETA invests in technologies that reduce and remove carbon emissions from energy and other heavy industries. Since 2006, we’ve been working to make proven low emission technology a part of the energy mix and taken a leadership role in developing decarbonising technologies in Australia.

Learn more about our purpose, our work, and why low emissions technologies are critical to Australia’s future.

Low emission technology milestones

2021

Timeframes for priority LETs to achieve parity are outlined

2021

The Australian Government provides this detail in its second Low Emissions Technology Statement and confirms $20 billion investment in LETs to 2030

2021

Santos and Beach Energy announce FID on Moomba CCS project

2021

The AUD$220 million project is expected to start-up in 2024 and will capture and store 1.7 mtpa of CO2

2021

CCS incentivised with credits

2021

New Emissions Reduction Fund method implemented by the Australian Government will allow large-scale carbon capture and storage projects and hubs to earn Australian carbon credit units

2021

ARENA to invest in low emission technologies including CCUS

2021

The Australian Government revises and expands ARENA remit to focus on Technology Investment Roadmap priority technologies

2021

Glencore’s CTSCo Project receives $5 million government funding

2021

One of six projects to receive funds from the Australian Government’s $50 million CCUS Development Fund

2021

Major CO2 injection phase completed

2021

CO2CRC completes CO2 injection phase on major CCUS research project, Otway Stage 3.

2021

$1.1 billion committed for emissions reduction projects

2021

The Australian Government announces funding commitment of $539.2 million for new clean hydrogen and CCUS projects. An additional $565.8 million is allocated for international partnerships to reduce low emissions technology costs and drive investment in Australia-based projects

2020

LETA invests US$5 million in gamechanging technology

2020

Investment in tests for breakthrough Allam Cycle power generation technology made, which would enable near-zero emissions operation on coal

2020

Investment in pre-feasibility study for new clean industries

2020

The study will determine a business case for Allam Cycle in Queensland and Victoria producing flexible electricity, hydrogen and low emissions fertiliser

2020

Queensland CO2 storage site confirmed

2020

Drilling for Glencore’s CTSCo Project confirms CO2 storage location in Queensland’s southern Surat Basin

2020

Progress made on ventilation air methane (VAM) abatement

2020

The Centennial Coal-managed VAM Safety Project determines conditions for safe ventilation air methane abatement at an underground coal mine site

2020

Chevron’s Gorgon project reaches milestone

2020

Three million tonnes of CO2 captured and stored by Chevron’s Gorgon project

2020

COAL21 becomes LETA

2020

COAL21 becomes Low Emission Technology Australia (LETA)

2020

CarbonNet CO2 storage drilling program starts

2020

Appraisal well drilled at the CarbonNet Project’s Pelican storage site in Victoria to confirm that identified rock structures deep under the seabed can store CO2, permanently

2019

Chevron’s Gorgon project starts CO2 injection

2019

The Chevron-led Gorgon Joint Venture plans to inject 3.3 to 4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year into the Dupuy Formation, more than two kilometres beneath Barrow Island

2019

Screening Australia’s basins for CO2-enhanced oil recovery

2019

Commissioned study of enhanced oil recovery to expand potential for CO2 usage in Australia

2019

Deep Aquifer Appraisal Project confirms Queensland’s potential

2019

Queensland’s Surat Basin is confirmed appropriate for industrial scale volumes and rates of CO2 storage

2018

Ventilation Air Methane (VAM) Safety Project undertaken

2018

General principles for safe ventilation air methane (VAM) abatement from underground coal mines are established

2017

ACALET becomes COAL21

2017

ACALET becomes COAL21 and funding is extended to 2027 with an additional $255 million industry commitment

2015

Carbon capture for power generation proved

2015

World’s first industrial-scale demonstration of oxyfuel combustion and carbon capture technology from power generation is successfully completed with the Callide Oxyfuel Project

2014

Technology solution for power station carbon capture storage confirmed

2014

PCC identified as the leading capture technology for retrofitting to existing power stations and deploying carbon capture and storage for power generation

2014

NSW CO2 storage location found

2014

NSW’s Darling Basin identified as a potential CO2 storage site

2012

A world-first carbon capture project starts

2012

World’s first industrial-scale demonstration of oxyfuel combustion and carbon capture technology from power generation – the Callide Oxyfuel Project – commences operation

2010

Potential to store CO2 in Queensland identified

2010

Queensland Government’s Carbon Geostorage Initiative confirms Surat Basin as a potential CO2 storage site

2010

Preferred carbon capture technologies identified

2010

Post-Combustion Capture (PCC) and Oxyfuel identified as preferred carbon capture technologies for power generation

2009

CarbonNet Project established

2009

The Victorian and Australian governments partner in this project to identify and demonstrate the capacity and integrity of CO2 storage as a storage hub in Victoria’s Gippsland Basin

2009

Support for research and science

2009

ANLEC R&D established to support the research and science needed for LET demonstration projects

2008

CO2 safely stored

2008

65,000 tonnes CO2 safely stored in a depleted onshore gas field as part of CO2CRC’s Otway Project

2006

Initial industry funding

2006

Australian Coal Association Low Emission Technologies (ACALET) established with $300 million initial industry funding

The NewsLETA – exclusive articles and industry insights – straight to your inbox.