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Australian Energy Producers Journal Australian Energy Producers Journal Society
Journal of Australian Energy Producers
RESEARCH ARTICLE (Non peer reviewed)

Pioneering CCS in Australia – the CarbonNet journey

Jane Burton A *
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A The CarbonNet Project, Victorian Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.




Jane Burton has worked across both the commercial and public sectors for over 30 years, working within the Victorian Government for the past 13 years in senior Executive roles. Prior to her current role as CarbonNet Project Director, Jane was the A/Head Resources for the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action. As Project Director for the CarbonNet Project, Jane is responsible for overseeing all elements of the project, this includes oversighting the Engineering, Commercial, Environmental, Permitting, Engagement and Communications and Project Services workstreams. Jane was awarded the 2019 Most Exceptional Women in Resources award, is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Energy and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

* Correspondence to: jane.burton@ecodev.vic.gov.au

Australian Energy Producers Journal 64 S49-S53 https://doi.org/10.1071/EP23129
Accepted: 28 March 2024  Published: 16 May 2024

© 2024 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of Australian Energy Producers.

Abstract

The CarbonNet Project (CarbonNet), a trailblazing Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) initiative, is progressing through what has been a transformative 14-year journey. Situated in southeast Victoria, this project has evolved from an interesting concept into a multifaceted project that promises to contribute to decarbonisation via its carbon dioxide (CO2) transport and storage project. Established in 2009 and funded by both Australian and Victorian Governments, CarbonNet has been at the forefront of the CCS journey in Australia. Its primary objective is to establish a hub in the Latrobe Valley, where a diverse range of industries supply CO2 for transport through an underground pipeline to the project’s initial offshore storage site, known as Pelican, in the globally renowned Gippsland Basin. The CarbonNet journey has been marked by significant milestones, including legislative changes to accommodate its future storage goals. Knowledge sharing and regulatory engagement have also been an ongoing priority, facilitating a robust feedback loop to ensure alignment with contemporary environmental standards. Adapting to dynamic market conditions, the project is working to secure customers within the rapidly evolving CO2 market whilst seeking to create a robust business model. More recently CarbonNet has been observing the emergence of proposed offshore wind and onshore transmission projects in the Gippsland region. This explosive growth of new energy solutions within Gippsland has created challenges and opportunities for the project. Jane Burton will provide an insightful overview of CarbonNet’s remarkable evolution, highlighting the critical role it plays in the journey towards establishing a net-zero future.

Keywords: Carbon Capture and Storage, carbon dioxide, CCS, community engagement, Gippsland, government, greenhouse gas storage, pipeline.

Biographies

EP23129_B1.gif

Jane Burton has worked across both the commercial and public sectors for over 30 years, working within the Victorian Government for the past 13 years in senior Executive roles. Prior to her current role as CarbonNet Project Director, Jane was the A/Head Resources for the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action. As Project Director for the CarbonNet Project, Jane is responsible for overseeing all elements of the project, this includes oversighting the Engineering, Commercial, Environmental, Permitting, Engagement and Communications and Project Services workstreams. Jane was awarded the 2019 Most Exceptional Women in Resources award, is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Energy and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

References

CarbonNet (2024) Approvals & investigations. Available at https://djsir.vic.gov.au/carbonnet/approvals-and-investigations

Carbon Storage Taskforce (2009) National Carbon Mapping and Infrastructure Plan – Australia: Full Report.(Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism: Canberra, ACT, Australia) Available at https://www.globalccsinstitute.com/resources/publications-reports-research/national-carbon-mapping-and-infrastructure-plan-australia-full-report/