Smart CCUS: Geophysical Innovations for Subsurface Energy and Carbon Management

The Smart CCUS: Geophysical Innovations for Subsurface Energy and Carbon Management workshop is a focused technical event at Penn State's University Park Campus aimed at enhancing geophysical methodologies in the context of underground energy systems, including Geologic Carbon Storage (GCS/CCUS), geothermal energy, and hydrogen production. This workshop will feature a comprehensive program that includes technical sessions, case studies, panel discussions, field excursions, and a hands-on AI Hackathon. The primary goal is to accelerate the adoption of innovative geophysical approaches and AI/ML-enabled workflows for site characterization, monitoring, and operational management across CCUS, geothermal, and hydrogen projects. The workshop will emphasize the importance of integrating field data with advanced geophysical techniques to ensure safer, faster, and more cost-effective project deployment.Esteemed speakers from leading institutions will present their insights, including Sanjay Srinivasan and Tieyuan Zhu from Pennsylvania State University, William Harbert from the University of Pittsburgh, and experts from Los Alamos National Laboratory and Carnegie Mellon University, among others. Participants will have the opportunity to explore case histories and lessons learned from global CO₂ injection pilots and energy production projects. The workshop will also address regulatory challenges and pathways relevant to Class VI CO₂ permit applications. Moreover, the AI Hackathon aims to engage students, researchers, and professionals in developing a functional AI-driven assistant for reviewing and interpreting EPA Class VI permit applications, culminating in finals during the workshop.Additional activities include a site visit to relevant operations emphasizing monitoring and operational management. The College of Earth and Mineral Sciences at Penn State, known for its rich history and commitment to advancing interdisciplinary energy research, will leverage its resources to facilitate the event. Special accommodations are available at the Nittany Lion Inn, and other nearby hotels for participants. The workshop invites abstracts on a range of topics such as seismic integration, CO₂ plume tracking, and geomechanics, encouraging contributions that reflect innovative strategies applicable across various subsurface storage and energy production fields. This workshop promises to be an invaluable opportunity for networking and collaboration in the rapidly evolving landscape of energy management.