The Ketzin pilot site, led by the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, is Europe’s longest-operating on-shore CO₂ storage site with the aim of increasing the understanding of geological storage of CO₂ in saline aquifers. Located near Berlin, the Ketzin pilot site is an in situ laboratory for CO₂ storage in an anticlinal structure in the Northeast German Basin. Starting research within the framework of the EU project CO₂SINK in 2004, Ketzin is Germany’s first CO₂ storage site and fully in use since the injection began in June 2008. After 39 months of operation, about 53,000 tonnes of CO₂ have been stored in 630–650 m deep sandstone units of the Upper Triassic Stuttgart Formation. An extensive monitoring program integrates geological, geophysical and geochemical investigations at Ketzin for a comprehensive characterization of the reservoir and the CO₂ migration at various scales. Integrating a unique field and laboratory data set, both static geological modeling and dynamic simulations are regularly updated. The Ketzin project successfully demonstrates CO₂ storage in a saline aquifer on a research scale. The results of monitoring and modeling can be summarized as follows: (1) Since the start of the CO₂ injection in June 2008, the operation has been running reliably and safely. (2) Downhole pressure data prove correlation between the injection rate and the reservoir pressure and indicates the presence of an overall dynamic equilibrium within the reservoir. (3) The extensive geochemical and geophysical monitoring program is capable of detecting CO₂ on different scales and gives no indication for any leakage. (4) Numerical simulations (history matching) are in good agreement with the monitoring results.

At Ketzin, located west of Berlin, the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences operates Europe's longest- running on-shore CO2 storage site. The Ketzin pilot site has been developed since 2004 and comprises three wells to depths of 750 m to 800 m and one shallow observation well, an injection facility and permanently installed monitoring devices. Since June 2008, CO2 is injected into 630 m to 650 m deep sandstone units (Upper Triassic Stuttgart Formation) in an anticlinal structure of the Northeast German Basin. Until mid of May 2012, about 61,400 t of CO2 have been stored safely. One of the most comprehensive monitoring concepts worldwide is applied and capable of detecting the behaviour of the CO2 in the subsurface. The Ketzin project demonstrates safe CO2 storage in a saline aquifer on a research scale and effective monitoring. This paper summarizes the key results obtained after four years of CO2 injection

Underground coal gasification (UCG) allows for the utilization of coal reserves not exploitable due to unfavorable geology and economic boundary conditions. The present study examines underground coal gasification economics converting deep-situated coals into a high-calorific UCG synthesis gas. Utilizing UCG synthesis gas to fuel a combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) considering CO2 capture and its subsequent storage (CCS) in the underground voids resulting from coal consumption, the coupled process offers an economic low carbon option to coal fired power generation for a study area in Bulgaria. The selected coal deposit is not suitable for conventional mining due to great depths, but it may be exploitable by UCG. Cost-effectiveness, CO2 emissions and energy demand of the coupled process are analyzed using a techno-economic model specifically developed for that purpose. Capital and operational expenditure are ascertained from calculations considering six dynamic sub-models describing the UCG-CCGT-CCS process flow and aiming at determination of the costs of electricity (COE). Calculation results show that COE account to 71.67 €/MWh considering 20.5% CCS costs and 79.5% emission charges. The results show that the coupled UCG-CCGT-CCS process should be considered as an economic and low carbon option for power generation for the selected study area