Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is increasingly in the spotlight as the world looks for scalable ways to cut CO₂ emissions. But while the idea sounds straightforward—capture carbon at the source, transport it, and store it underground—the reality is much more complex.

We sat down with Sean Yobe Bowen, one of our Innovation Funding Consultants at ABGi UK, who’s been working with a client pushing boundaries in the CCS space. He shared some fascinating insights into what really goes into making carbon capture projects work—and why a deep understanding of the technical detail is essential.

Q: Sean, first things first—why is CCS such a hot topic right now?

Sean: CCS plays an important complementary role in global efforts to reduce CO₂ production. While industries are working to lower their emissions, CCS offers a way to deal with what’s still being produced—especially in sectors where decarbonisation is not yet feasible. The process captures CO₂ at the emission source, such as power plants or industrial sites using fossil fuels or biomass, then transports and stores it deep underground. It’s one of many steps we must take as a society toward net zero, and it comes with some significant technical hurdles.

Q: What are some of those technical challenges? What makes CCS so difficult to get right?

Sean: There are quite a few, but here are the main ones I come across in my work:

• Understanding gas composition:
  It is crucial to know exactly what’s in the gas being captured. The chemical makeup at the point of capture affects how it behaves during transport and in long-term storage, so this analysis is vital.

• Monitoring and safety systems:
  Robust monitoring systems are needed to identify any issues like leakage—not just at the point of capture but all the way through transport and for the full lifetime of the storage site.

• Storage site engineering:
  Whether the CO₂ is stored onshore or offshore—in saline aquifers or depleted oil and gas fields—each type of storage environment comes with its own engineering and containment challenges.

Q: From your perspective, why is it important for innovation funding consultants to understand the technical side of projects like this?

Sean: Because funding bodies, as well as HMRC when reviewing R&D Tax relief claims, are looking for evidence of genuine scientific or technological advancement. If you are not equipped to understand the project’s complexities, you can’t properly articulate the innovation involved, and that puts the quality and viability of the claim at risk. Being able to accurately describe uncertainties like the ones faced in CCS projects is what helps us write robust technical reports that stand up to scrutiny.

Q: And how do you find working on projects like these?

Sean: Honestly, it’s one of the more interesting areas I’ve worked in. There’s so much going on—everything from fluid dynamics to materials science. It’s not just about ticking boxes; it’s about understanding what makes the work difficult, what’s being improved, and how the team is solving it.

Q: What’s one takeaway you’d want people to have from this?

Sean: That innovation in sustainability isn’t just about big ideas—it’s about the technical execution. If you’re doing cutting-edge work, make sure your R&D Tax relief claim reflects that complexity. That’s where working with a technical team like ours can really make the difference.

Need support with a technically complex claim?

Our team includes engineers and scientists like Sean who understand your world and can help you communicate it clearly to funding bodies. Get in touch to find out how we can support your next innovation claim.