The clock is ticking on climate change, and the need for effective carbon management solutions – from capturing CO₂ emissions at their source to removing CO₂ already in the atmosphere – has never been more urgent.

Progress requires not just brilliant ideas, but a rapid pathway to test, validate, and scale them. Recognizing this critical need for acceleration, Denmark has officially joined forces with ECCSEL ERIC, the European powerhouse of research infrastructure for Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS), Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR), and Low Carbon Energy Storage (LCES) technologies.

Leading Denmark's charge within this vital European network is Lasse Rosendahl. As the newly appointed Danish Node Lead for ECCSEL and Executive Director of the influential Novo Nordisk Foundation CO₂ Research Center (CORC), Rosendahl embodies the bridge between cutting-edge science and mission-driven deployment.

"We're on a mission," he asserts, "to perform research that drives this transition... and finding new pathways for utilising CO₂."

Denmark: A Powerhouse Poised for Collaboration

What makes Denmark such a valuable addition to the ECCSEL network?

Beyond its ambitious national climate goals, the country offers a unique blend of natural advantages and a highly developed innovation ecosystem.

"One obvious advantage is the geology," notes Rosendahl, referring to Denmark's significant potential for secure CO₂ storage offshore – and onshore close to emitters – a capability already attracting international interest.

But the strengths run deeper.

Denmark fosters a collaborative environment, exemplified by the INNO-CCUS partnership, which connects over 100 diverse stakeholders to tackle shared challenges.

Danish research excels in key areas vital to the future of carbon management:

• Power-to-X and Systems Integration: Danish facilities, like those at Aalborg University and Aarhus University, are uniquely designed to test technologies within a larger energy system context. "You can operate it... in the system setting," explains Rosendahl. "How does it actually interact with the system that it'll ultimately live in when it goes to scale?" This holistic view, integrating electricity grids, heat networks, and storage, is crucial.

• Next-Generation Capture & Utilisation: Research is actively pushing beyond current methods, exploring efficiency gains in capture and novel routes – including chemical and microbiological pathways – to transform CO₂ into valuable products like e-fuels, materials, and even proteins.

• World-Class, Accessible Infrastructure: From detailed sorbent testing at the Danish Technological Institute to larger test rigs at the DTU - Technical University of Denmark, Danish facilities offer diverse capabilities now accessible through ECCSEL's Single-Point Open Access.

ECCSEL ERIC: The Accelerator for Impact

For Denmark, joining ECCSEL isn't just about contributing; it's about gaining critical momentum. "Access to cross-European research infrastructure is one of these accelerating mechanisms," says Rosendahl. Building large-scale test facilities is incredibly expensive and time-consuming. ECCSEL provides immediate access to a vast network across Europe.

This access enables a crucial part of the innovation process: learning quickly, even from setbacks. "Failing fast," as Rosendahl puts it. Researchers can test the scalability of their lab concepts in ECCSEL facilities.

"You quickly go and do the test, and then you find out, 'Nope, it doesn't work.' But then you understand much better why it doesn't, and then you can go back... That loop has to run faster."

This rapid iteration cycle is essential to bridge the gap between promising research and deployable solutions.

"A lot of brilliant research will never become anything else than Nature papers... it's not going to save us," Rosendahl states frankly.

Building the Future, Together

Denmark's entry into ECCSEL strengthens the entire European effort. It brings not only state-of-the-art facilities and deep expertise but also "a desire to collaborate and a desire to share... in an open and transparent way," according to Rosendahl.

His vision for Denmark within ECCSEL is clear: full engagement. He wants the network to be the "go-to resource" for Danish researchers and industry, fostering a two-way flow of knowledge and access. Success means seeing the network actively used, driving tangible progress.

The partnership between Denmark and ECCSEL exemplifies the collaborative spirit required to meet the climate challenge.

By combining national strengths with European infrastructure and expertise, the journey from innovative concept to real-world impact gets a vital boost, accelerating the development of the carbon management solutions our planet urgently needs.