Rotterdam: leading the green revolution

In the beating heart of Europe's largest port, lies the paradigm for sustainable innovation and determination. Rotterdam, a city renowned for its industrial prowess, is forging ahead in the global fight against climate change with initiatives like Porthos and its successor, Aramis. These projects epitomize Rotterdam's commitment to transitioning towards cleaner energy solutions while showcasing the power of collaboration, technology, and collective action. This article explores the transformative development of Porthos and looks towards the future paved by Aramis, illustrating Rotterdam's ambition for an energy transition that sets a precedent for sustainable development worldwide.

Porthos: a testament to Rotterdam’s ambition for energy transition

In the port of Rotterdam, where industry and innovation converge, Porthos stands as a frontrunner example of reducing CO2 emissions. This initiative, a collaboration between the Port of Rotterdam, Gasunie, and EBN, aims to transport and store 37 million tonnes of CO2 over 15 years. By leveraging cooperation among key industry players such as Shell, ExxonMobil, Air Liquide, and Air Products, Porthos demonstrates the city’s commitment to transitioning towards cleaner energy solutions.

Header image credits: Danny Cornelissen.

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Porthos: turning the tide on CO2 Emissions.

How Porthos Works

CO2 Capture: Industrial companies in the Rotterdam port area capture CO2 emissions generated during their operations.
Pipeline Transport: The captured CO2 is then routed through a collective pipeline network spanning the Rotterdam port area, ensuring efficient and streamlined transportation.
Compression: At a dedicated compressor station, the CO2 is pressurized for safe and effective transport.
Undersea Journey: An offshore pipeline extends approximately 20 km into the North Sea, reaching a strategically located platform.
Injection: From the platform, the CO2 is injected deep into empty gas fields beneath the seabed, securely sealed within porous sandstone reservoirs over 3 km below the surface.

For more in depth information about Porthos out: https://www.porthosco2.nl/en/.

Graphic image of pat of South Holland, depicting the North Sea, The Nieuwe Waterweg towards Rotterdam. The photo shows where the Porthos project is.

Aramis: Porthos’s visionary successor

Following important achievements in carbon capture and storage (CCS), Aramis is another example of innovation and sustainability in Rotterdam. The Aramis project aims to contribute to the reduction of CO₂ emissions for hard-to-abate industries by providing CO₂ transport to unlock storage capacity for industry use.

Recognizing the importance of addressing the root causes of climate change, Aramis adopts a holistic approach to environmental protection. Through innovative research and development, the project explores alternative energy sources, sustainable technologies, and eco-friendly practices, laying the groundwork for a greener and healthier future.

Moreover, Aramis understands the significance of collaboration in bringing about impactful change. The project aspires to create synergies between projects like Porthos, involving stakeholders from various sectors to promote a collective approach to sustainability not only in Rotterdam but also beyond.

Where Porthos, once fully operational, has a capacity of 2.5 Mtonnes per year, Aramis will have a storage capacity of a whopping 22.5 Mtonnes per year, with its fields having a total storage capacity of 400Mtonnes.

As a future focused initiative, Aramis embodies Rotterdam’s ethos of advancement and creativity, demonstrating that collective action can shape a more promising and sustainable future.

For more in depth information about Amaris: Aramis CCS | ABOUT (aramis-ccs.com).