Liquefied CO2 generated in European industrial plants is transported by ship to Øygarden in Norway, compressed and stored underground. The capture and storage of CO2 is known as CCS, or Carbon Capture and Storage. “Northern Lights” primarily supports industries in which emissions are technically difficult to avoid.
In the future, a compressor in “Northern Lights Phase 2” will ensure that the CO2 delivered to Norway can be reliably compressed and further transported via pipelines. Even if the compressor is hardly visible during operation, it is indispensable for the safety and long-term operation of the facility. Several cast components for this compressor, such as the guide vane carriers, were manufactured at our site in Traisen. The two-part, oversized compressor casing was cast in Linz.
The complex geometry, with some thin wall thicknesses of around 25 millimeters, placed the highest demands on the development and production of the compressor casing. In total, the colossus, which was made from a special material that is tough at low temperatures, wear-resistant and highly corrosion-resistant, weighs 87 tons, is more than six meters long, around five meters wide and two and a half meters high.
In the current Phase 2, “Northern Lights” is growing significantly and is being expanded into a CO2 storage hub for all of Europe. The first part of the facility went into operation in 2025. Transport and storage capacity is now being increased from 1.5 to at least five million tons of CO2 per year. To achieve this, the existing infrastructure is being expanded – a new jetty in the port, additional storage tanks, further transport ships and new wells as well as subsea pipelines are being built. Operations are scheduled to start in 2028.
Watch the video here.
This project makes visible how crucial cast components are for industrial solutions of the future and what we can contribute to climate protection. Our expertise is therefore essential in enabling Europe’s industry to continue on its path toward decarbonization.
Die voestalpine ist ein weltweit führender Stahl- und Technologiekonzern mit kombinierter Werkstoff- und Verarbeitungskompetenz. Die global tätige Unternehmensgruppe verfügt über rund 500 Konzerngesellschaften und -standorte in mehr als 50 Ländern auf allen fünf Kontinenten. Sie notiert seit 1995 an der Wiener Börse. Mit ihren Premium-Produkt- und Systemlösungen zählt sie zu den führenden Partnern der Automobil- und Hausgeräteindustrie sowie der Luftfahrt- und Öl- & Gasindustrie und ist darüber hinaus Weltmarktführer bei Bahninfrastruktursystemen, bei Werkzeugstahl und Spezialprofilen. Die voestalpine bekennt sich zu den globalen Klimazielen und verfolgt mit greentec steel einen klaren Plan zur Dekarbonisierung der Stahlproduktion.
