The world is undergoing a digital revolution. For years, advanced carbon capture and storage (CCS) tools were limited to those with resources and expertise, but the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) is aiming to democratize data in ways that bridge the digital divide and empower a larger community to benefit from CCS tools.
Fueled by the multi-billion-dollar investment from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, various projects are integrating to create a hub for technology, safety, research and innovation called the EDX disCO2ver Platform – with a goal of fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange between research experts, industry leaders, and academia to push the boundaries of carbon capture and storage. This infusion of data capabilities can be utilized across various communities, which can be used to increase jobs, tackle climate change and work towards the 2050 goal of a net-zero emissions economy.
As a component of the Energy Data eXchange®(EDX), NETL’s award-winning virtual research and development (R&D) data curation and collaboration system, the disCO2ver platform offers users streamlined access and interaction with hundreds of thousands of publicly available carbon storage-relevant data resources. This integration and automation of DOE-funded projects, AI-discovered assets and external findings aims to eliminate the time spent collecting data during the research process.
A Shift to the Multi-Cloud = More Power to the People
Access to advanced data and models was once limited to scientists and researchers with the proper on-site computing and infrastructure. However, multi-cloud computing eliminates the need for on-premises computing by providing advanced computing services like data storage and software through the Internet. EDX disCO2ver and other EDX components will soon shift to a multi-cloud approach in Fall 2023 called EDX ++. This game-changing shift enables more digital infrastructure for the masses, ensuring that everyone can access the tools necessary to address the challenges associated with CCS.
EDX++ will enhance the existing EDX infrastructure, empowering more people to kickstart the deployment of a domestic carbon storage economy. The approach increases access to data for CCS resources through disCO2ver by automating the process of adding new published resources to the platform. As new submissions, including data, tools, links and more, are published on EDX, they will be findable within the disCO2ver. disCO2ver will also connect users with cloud-hosted tools and thousands of datasets.
Thought Leaders
- Kelly Rose | Technical Director, Science-Based AI/ML Institute | National Energy Technology Laboratory
- Darren Mollot | Director, Artificial intelligence and Special Projects | U.S. Department of Energy
- Chad Rowan | EDX Operations Manager | MAXIMUS
