Fossil Fuel Emissions Reduction

Developing Alternatives for a Carbon-Constrained World

For more than 20 years, SAIC staff have been trusted advisers to the government, global economic development agencies, state governments, and energy providers to assess and develop technologies that will meet the needs of a carbon-constrained world. SAIC also helps commercialize technologies that will lead to the production and use of cleaner energy sources.

Supporting Carbon Capture and Sequestration Research

For two decades, SAIC has provided broad-based technical support to the government to promote the development of cleaner fossil fuel technologies. Our work includes supporting research into carbon capture and sequestration technology, modeling, design, and engineering. For example, SAIC analyzed the geological carbon dioxide storage capacity of the entire United States.

Researching and Commercializing Clean Coal Technology

SAIC is supporting the development and commercialization of clean coal technology that will help transform future coal-fired power generation into a more efficient, clean-burning energy resource.

Promoting Clean Technologies in Developing Countries

Curtailing emissions in developing countries is critical to meet United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change goals to stabilize atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases that cause global warming. SAIC supports the wide-scale deployment of low- to zero-carbon energy technologies in developing countries. Learn more about SAIC's international capacity building.

Case Studies

Assessing Carbon Capture, Sequestration, and Storage Capacity

SAIC conducted a study of geological carbon dioxide storage capacity in the U.S. for a government energy laboratory. The study addressed technical issues, regulatory concerns, and economic estimates for storage using abandoned oil/gas reservoirs in Texas. We created a comprehensive CO² capture, transport, and sequestration information database, which covered all aspects of CO² capture from flue and fuel gas, transport of CO² from a capture site to a disposal site, and various sequestration technologies. As part of the study, we also prepared detailed descriptions of deep ocean and deep aquifer storage of CO².

Accounting for Carbon Sequestration Projects

For a U.S. government energy agency, SAIC helped develop agency guidance for monitoring, verifying and accounting for carbon stored in the subsurface using approaches such as enhanced oil recovery, enhanced gas recovery, and storage in saline aquifers. SAIC also helped develop technical guidance for reporting these projects to the enhanced Voluntary Reporting of Greenhouse Gases (1605(b)) Program implemented by the U.S. government. We developed a "Best-Practices Manual" pertaining to various geologic and terrestrial sequestration activities, and initiated an extensive pipeline study to develop scenarios and cost analyses for routing CO².

Analyzing Next Generation Carbon Management Technologies

On behalf of a leading global energy company, SAIC analyzed next generation decarbonization, carbon capture, and sequestration technologies. We evaluated five technology pathways including fossil fuel decarbonization, post-combustion carbon dioxide (CO²) separation and capture, carbon/CO² sequestration and storage, novel combustion and energy conversion methods, and CO² fixation and utilization.

Assessment of IGCC Technology

SAIC prepared a technical paper for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that covers background technical information on Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) technology. The paper describes current research and development efforts; defines IGCC performance, environmental, and economic benefits; describes potential IGCC markets; and discusses ongoing government and private sector programs that support and enhance technology commercialization.