ECCSEL EUROPEAN RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE CONSORTIUM

Their core work

ECCSEL is a European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC) based in Norway that provides shared access to world-class laboratories and pilot facilities for CO2 capture, transport, storage, and utilisation (CCUS). They operate as a membership-driven infrastructure network, enabling researchers and industry partners across Europe to use specialised CCUS test rigs and equipment without building their own. Beyond facility access, they invest in training the next generation of research infrastructure managers and are expanding into energy storage research.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

ECCSEL's early H2020 activity (2019–2020) was tightly focused on their core CCUS mission — growing facility access, securing long-term funding, and participating in the ERIC governance community. From 2021 onward, they branched into two new directions: training and human capital development for research infrastructure managers (RItrainPlus), and energy storage research (StoRIES). This suggests a deliberate strategy to diversify beyond carbon capture while maintaining their identity as an infrastructure provider.

ECCSEL is evolving from a single-purpose CCUS infrastructure into a broader clean energy research platform, adding energy storage and workforce development to their portfolio.

How they like to work

ECCSEL mostly participates in consortia led by others (3 of 4 projects), but they coordinated their own flagship project ECCSELERATE, which directly served their institutional growth strategy. With 86 unique partners across 17 countries, they operate as a well-connected hub — expected for an ERIC whose entire purpose is to link national facilities into a European network. They are a reliable consortium partner for infrastructure-related proposals, particularly where access to CCUS or energy research facilities is needed.

ECCSEL has collaborated with 86 unique partners across 17 countries, reflecting their role as a pan-European infrastructure consortium. Their network spans most of Western and Northern Europe, with strong ties to the broader ERIC and research infrastructure community.

What sets them apart

ECCSEL is one of very few ERICs dedicated specifically to carbon capture and storage infrastructure — they own the niche of providing shared CCUS laboratory access across Europe. For any consortium that needs experimental CCUS facilities without building them from scratch, ECCSEL is a natural partner. Their recent move into energy storage further positions them as a one-stop infrastructure provider for decarbonisation research.

Highlights from their portfolio

• ECCSELERATE
  Their only coordinated project (EUR 391K) — the strategic vehicle for growing ECCSEL's membership, international positioning, and user access to CCUS facilities.
• StoRIES
  Largest participation budget (EUR 284K) and signals a strategic expansion from CCUS into hybrid energy storage and materials research.