Scotland’s Net Zero Technology Centre is to work with overseas partners in Japan and Egypt on decarbonising the energy sector.

The Aberdeen-based centre will join forces with the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology in Japan and the Faculty of Energy and Environmental Engineering at The British University in Egypt on an international study focused on identifying technology gaps and innovation priorities to ‘drive the transition of mature hydrocarbon basins to an integrated net zero energy future’.

They join existing contributors from the UK, Netherlands, USA, Australia, Canada, and Brazil, to make this a truly global collaboration across five continents. Each organisation will contribute to the ‘Closing the Gap: A Global Perspective’ study, offering their unique perspective on the energy transition and the journey to creating integrated energy systems.

Working together, the technology and research organisations will identify key energy transition technologies across mature hydrocarbon basins, including blue and green hydrogen, offshore wind, oil and gas electrification, direct air capture and carbon capture, utilisation and storage. The study, which was initiated at COP26, will identify technology gaps and innovation priorities to accelerate an integrated net zero energy future.

Luca Corradi, innovation network director at the Net Zero Technology Centre, said:  “We are excited to have Japan’s National Institute for Advanced Industrial Science & Technology and the Faculty of Energy and Environmental Engineering at the British University in Egypt onboard. They both have a history of innovation and international collaboration, which will help provide a well-rounded view of the global energy system. Participating in the study is a massive opportunity for all partners to collaborate and identify the key technologies to enable the transition.

“The outcomes of the study will help inform national governments at COP27, where all countries must re-evaluate their nationally determined contributions and deliver on previous commitments.”

Dr Yuki Kudoh, deputy director at the Global Zero Emission Research Centre at the National Institute for Advanced Industrial Science & Technology said: “The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), one of Japan’s largest public research organisations, focuses on the creation and practical realisation of technologies useful to industry and society, and on “bridging” the gap between innovative technological seeds and commercialisation. The study perfectly aligns with our aim to collaborate internationally to resolve the global warming issues common to all humankind.”

Professor Attia Attia, Dean at the Faculty of Energy and Environmental Engineering at the British University in Egypt said: “We are excited to join the Net Zero Technology Centre and the other technology and research organisations in the international study focusing on technology priorities for a net zero integrated energy systems. The study aims to provide information for national efforts ahead of the upcoming COP27 meeting in Sharm El Sheik, Egypt.”