We know the green transition is vital to address the worsening climate crisis and keep global warming just a few degrees above pre-industrial levels. But beyond the policies and commitments, how much attention do you pay to the people on the ground physically making the transition happen?

As new energy businesses evolve and grow, they are predicted to create millions of new jobs and even whole new categories of new jobs that will require different skills. Having said that, many of these roles will share the same set of basic competencies as jobs in traditional industries, making it possible for workers to transfer from one to the other.

One sector widely agreed to have a critical role in achieving net zero is CO₂ capture and storage (CCS). As the technology scales up, it’s expected to generate many jobs worldwide. For example, the UK government, which has recently announced a $28 billion investment in the technology, says that CCS will support tens of thousands of long-term jobs in the country.

So what are some of the roles key to starting and running CCS projects? Here, we take a closer look.

Chemist

While a variety of technologies exist, chemical absorption is currently a proven method for capturing CO₂ from flue gases. This technology uses solvents to separate the CO₂ from other components.

Understanding such processes is key to improving existing CCS technologies and developing new ones to deliver carbon capture at the scale needed to meet climate targets. For example, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group has been developing its process and unique solvent since the 1990s and this process can capture more than 95% of the CO₂ contained in flue gases.

Process engineer

These senior professionals have a high level of expertise in chemical and mechanical engineering.

They use this to help drive a CCS project over its lifespan, from conducting pre-funding studies to supporting construction, testing and maintenance of facilities. They can develop and optimize a system configuration to capture CO₂ from a specific emissions source and produce CO₂ at the required rate and quality – all while considering environmental compatibility, cost-effectiveness and safety.

“We play a key role in CCS projects,” says Ajmal Muhammad, a Process Engineer in the Decarbonization Department in MHI-EMEA. “Each CO₂ capture facility has unique requirements depending on the type and size of emission source, geographical location and environmental regulations. Process engineers analyze these complex factors and develop and implement innovative solutions in consultation with research and development teams and vendors.”

The ability to translate complex technical ideas into clear, understandable concepts for colleagues, clients and the public is a vital skill for process engineers, he adds.

Life-cycle analysis specialist

The environmental benefits and economic feasibility of a new CCS project or technology require rigorous evaluation, making life-cycle analysis (LCA) an important tool for the industry.

LCA specialists are often expert problem solvers with analytical skills and high attention to detail. They apply these to everything from collating and managing databases to identifying ways to increase the environmental performance of a product or service.

Research and development engineer

With typical expertise including experience in engineering, the energy sector and carbon capture technologies, CCS R&D engineers work to discover new products and processes.

This can range from testing systems and materials to working on new methods of transporting and storing CO₂. R&D engineers also oversee existing CCS projects, troubleshooting issues and identifying ways of improving them.

Transport and storage specialist

These specialists are involved in every aspect of CCS — helping to design, plan and manage projects.

As well as assisting capture technologies, they manage transportation via ships or pipelines and oversee the secure storage of CO₂ using geo-sequestration — the process of locking CO₂ in underground geologic formations.

Geologist

Responsibility for identifying the sites for geo-sequestration falls partly on geologists, whose knowledge of and research into rock formations is vital for finding the right places to store CO₂.

Operations must also be rigorously monitored to understand how the CO₂ is behaving underground and highlight any potential issues.

Project manager

Finally, CCS projects are complex and require a project manager to oversee every aspect, from inception to completion. These professionals have a range of skills, including strong technical knowledge of CO₂ capture, and communication and interpersonal skills.

The role encompasses managing budgets, mitigating risks, and coordinating with suppliers, engineers, and scientists, with the ultimate goal of ensuring the project meets its objectives, which often focus on reducing CO₂ emissions from a product or service.

“We work on first-of-their-kind projects, which can throw up some challenges,” says Cole Maas, a Process Engineering Manager at MHI America. “It takes creativity and perseverance to always find ways to overcome obstacles, either by yourself or by assigning the right people to the task.

“Today, with strong market pressure to advance projects – despite the relatively young age of the technology – having a talented project manager is more important than ever.”