Southern Company today assumed leadership of the Carbon Capture International Test Center Network (ITCN), a global coalition of facilities working to accelerate the research and development (R&D) of carbon capture technologies. The National Carbon Capture Center, a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) research facility managed and operated by Southern Company, will serve as the host site for the ITCN.

Formed in 2012, the ITCN facilitates knowledge-sharing among carbon capture test facilities around the world with the goal of advancing the development and commercial deployment of carbon capture technologies.

DOE Assistant Secretary of Fossil Energy Chris Brown and Chief Operating Officer Kim Greene (standing) join TCM Managing Director Roy Vardhiem and National Carbon Capture Center Director Roxann Laird (seated) in transferring the ITCN chairmanship and operation for the next two years.
DOE Assistant Secretary of Fossil Energy Chris Brown and Chief Operating Officer Kim Greene (standing) join TCM Managing Director Roy Vardhiem and National Carbon Capture Center Director Roxann Laird (seated) in transferring the ITCN chairmanship and operation for the next two years.

“Southern Company is at the forefront of worldwide efforts to create the next generation of carbon capture technologies,” said Southern Company Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Kimberly S. Greene. “Through our partnership with DOE and ITCN members, we are building on our commitment to finding real solutions by developing advanced, coal-based technologies.”

The National Carbon Capture Center will chair and operate the ITCN with DOE’s Office of Fossil Energy for the next two years, a role held by Technology Centre Mongstad (TCM) of Norway since 2013. The transfer of the chairmanship was officially observed during a ceremony today in Houston, attended by representatives of DOE, Southern Company and TCM.

Working with scientists and technology developers from government, industry and universities, the National Carbon Capture Center, located in Alabama, conducts R&D to evaluate and advance emerging carbon capture technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from coal- and natural gas-based power generation.