SCO₂Tᴾᴿᴼ: Unlocking the Nation’s Subsurface to Support the Energy Transition

Project overview

SCO2TPRO is a cutting-edge geospatial siting tool and database designed to revolutionize subsurface analysis for carbon storage and energy transition planning.

Developed by Carbon Solutions under the U.S. Department of Energy’s award DE-SC0021570, this tool integrates machine learning-driven screening estimates to rapidly evaluate the cost, storage potential, CO2 injectivity, and plume footprint for tens of thousands of potential geologic carbon storage (GCS) sites across the United States, and beyond. Beyond carbon sequestration, SCO2TPRO also provides sedimentary basin geothermal cost assessments and power generation potential, making it a first-of-its-kind solution for evaluating large-scale subsurface energy resources.

This initiative is structured around five major objectives, each aimed at enhancing commercialization, advancing reservoir simulations, expanding geologic databases, and deploying cloud-based software solutions for industry-wide application. 

Phase I: Development and Initial Implementation

During Phase I, SCO₂T^PRO established a nationwide geologic property database with a high-resolution 10-by-10 km grid, offering unmatched granularity in screening for carbon storage and geothermal energy opportunities. Advanced reservoir simulation techniques were developed using reduced-order models (ROMs) to estimate CO2 injection rates and long-term storage behavior across diverse geological formations. Initial applications of the tool provided cost estimates and storage assessments for government agencies, industry stakeholders, and research institutions, demonstrating its potential to streamline project feasibility studies and investment decisions. These efforts laid the foundation for an industry-ready tool capable of supporting large-scale energy transition initiatives. 

Phase II: Expansion, Commercialization, and Global Application

Building on the success of Phase I, Phase II is significantly expanding SCO₂T^PRO’s modeling capabilities, including extending its geographic reach beyond the United States. The project now includes an international application component, incorporating data from Canada, Europe, and Australia to assess global CO2 storage opportunities. A major focus is the development of a cloud-based version of SCO₂T^PRO, allowing real-time, user-friendly access to geologic screening models via an API-driven software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform. Carbon Solutions is exploring the feasibility of advanced ROMs of non-saline formations, including depleted oil and gas reservoirs, basalt formations, and fractured systems, broadening the scope of viable storage sites. Additionally, Phase II includes the automation of geologic data ingestion, integration with existing Class VI well databases, and comprehensive techno-economic analyses (TEAs) to assess storage project viability at the national and regional levels. 

Industry Impact and Future Applications

SCO₂T^PRO is set to become a leading industry tool for large-scale carbon management, offering a scalable, data-driven approach to CO2 storage site selection and investment planning. By automating geologic screening, cost modeling, and emissions reduction forecasting, the tool provides regulatory agencies, project developers, and policymakers with critical insights into low-cost, high-capacity carbon sequestration options. The ongoing development of a user-friendly graphical interface and cloud-hosted database will ensure broad accessibility, making SCO₂T^PRO a cornerstone technology in the global energy transition. As the platform evolves, its integration with geothermal energy potential assessments and emerging subsurface storage methods will further solidify its role in guiding net-zero strategies and long-term carbon mitigation efforts. 

Timeline

2021-2026