Institute of Geological Sciences

CO2 Sequestration

CO2-Sequestration Potential of Switzerland

We have evaluated the potential for CO2 sequestration in Switzerland based on geological data in the literature. This involved establishing geological criteria for safe, permanent CO2 storage and mapping out the volumes in the subsurface which coincide with these criteria. This study was partly financed by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy and its results are presented in Chevalier et al. (2010)  and Diamond et al. (2010)

Potential for CO2 Sequestration
Map of Switzerland showing the potential for CO2 sequestration within deep saline aquifers, estimated from data in the literature. The areas of high potentials (green) do not guarantee the feasibility of CO2 sequestration. Rather, they serve as guides to areas that warrant more detailed investigation. The portions of the four major aquifers with potentials above 0.6 are estimated to have a theoretical (unproven) storage capacity of approximately 2680 millions of tonnes (Mt) of CO2 (Diamond et al., 2010).