SBRI: MRV tools and techniques for land based greenhouse gas removal, phase 1

This is a Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) competition funded by Innovate UK as part of the Strategic Priorities Fund (SPF) Greenhouse Gas Removal Demonstrators programme.

The aim of the competition is to deliver innovative monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) tools, technologies and techniques that assess the effectiveness, integrity and longevity of land based greenhouse gas removal. The results of which will increase the credibility, confidence and uptake of land based greenhouse gas removal techniques.

This is phase 1 of a potential 2 phase competition. The decision to proceed with phase 2 will depend on the outcomes from phase 1 and assessment of a separate application into a subsequent phase 2 competition. Only the successful applicants from phase 1 will be invited to apply in a potential phase 2.

Any adoption and implementation of a solution from this competition would be subject to a separate, possibly competitive, procurement exercise. This competition does not cover the purchase of any solution.

Projects should start by 1 December 2022, must end by 28 February 2023, and can last up to 3 months. Any organisation of any size can lead a project, working alone or with others.

A total of up to £375,000, inclusive of VAT, is allocated to this phase 1 competition. Phase 1 feasibility study R&D contracts will be up to £75,000, inclusive of VAT, for each project for up to 3 months. We expect to fund up to 6 projects.

The aim of this competition is to deliver innovative monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) tools, technologies and techniques that assess the effectiveness, integrity and longevity of land based greenhouse gas removal (GGR). The results of which will increase in the credibility, confidence and uptake of land based greenhouse gas removal techniques.

Scope

Your project must help in quantifying the greenhouse gases sequestered through land based GGR and understanding their permanence and security. This must be by effective MRV tools, technologies and techniques that show how land based GGR will contribute to the UK reaching its net zero greenhouse gas emissions targets by 2050.

In this phase 1 project you must demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed tool, technology or technique for MRV of greenhouse gas sequestration. The solution must be applied to one, or multiple, land based greenhouse gas removal techniques or sites.

You can use a variety of tools, technologies and techniques to assist and enable robust MRV of land based GGR techniques. For example:

• digital solutions
• remote sensing or monitoring
• databases
• online tools
• measurement tools
• accreditation schemes

This list is not exhaustive and we welcome any proposals that can make a significant contribution to the MRV of land based GGR.

Where useful, your solutions may cross-reference data with historical or other data sources, models and tools.

You must work with and use data from demonstration projects funded through one or both of:

• the Strategic Priorities Fund Greenhouse Gas Removals – Demonstrators programme
• the Department for BEIS Direct Air Capture and other Greenhouse Gas Removal technologies competition (phases 1 and 2)

These demonstration projects primarily focus on CO2. You can include other greenhouse gases in your proposal.

We will give preference to applications which show evidence of working with a potential future customer or end user to test and optimise your innovation.

Your project can focus on one or more of the following themes related to the integrity and longevity of land based GGR techniques:

• quantification of sequestered greenhouse gases
• verification of sequestered greenhouse gases
• reporting of sequestered greenhouse gases
• security and permanence of the sequestered greenhouses gases

Your project can include one or more of the following land based greenhouse gas removal techniques:

• enhanced weathering
• biochar
• afforestation
• peatland restoration
• perennial biomass growth

Your project can include more than one site.

A briefing event will be held on 13th July, 10am-noon, online: click here to register.

If you would like to help to find a project partner or collaborator, contact KTN’s Net Zero team.