Secretariat

Andrew holds a first-class degree in geology and a PhD in petroleum systems analysis from Glasgow and Edinburgh Universities and has over 20 years of experience in CO₂ storage analysis and advocacy. Since 2018 he has worked at Edinburgh University as a researcher, where he has led projects on storage and net zero readiness, including recent regional reviews of hydrogen and CO₂ storage (H₂Europe HyUSPRe, H2020 Strategy). 

Andrew advises on site selection and development for hydrogen storage and CO₂ storage, and develops evidence-based SCCS policy positions, translating these into consultation responses, committee evidence and media releases. Andrew engages with stakeholders from industry groups, public bodies, governmental and non-governmental organisations to build support for CCS in Scotland and across the European region. He advises on technical storage issues and net zero policy, including greenhouse gas reduction and removal, CCUS and hydrogen storage, and net zero emissions ambitions.

Erika Palfi is the Decarbonisation Research and Technical Adviser at the Scottish Carbon Capture & Storage (SCCS) partnership, contributing to the strategic development and delivery of research, innovation, and knowledge exchange activities to support the deployment of carbon capture and storage and wider industrial decarbonisation solutions.

Her work encompasses techno-economic analysis, coordination of multi-partner projects, and the development of collaborative research proposals, alongside engagement with academic, industry, and policy stakeholders. Erika contributes to the strategic development of SCCS activities and supports translating technical research into actionable insights for decision-makers.

Additionally, Erika leads the development and delivery of educational programmes, including the world-leading Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Carbon Capture and Storage, and contributes to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training and public engagement.

Erika joined SCCS in 2022 and has over a decade of experience in CCS and energy systems. She holds a PhD in Energy Systems from the University of Edinburgh, as well as an MSc and BSc in Chemical and Biological Engineering from the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany.

Richard Stevenson provides expertise in project management, research and data analysis across a range of decarbonisation disciplines, and brings technical leadership into the design and delivery of industrial decarbonisation research projects that quantify, assess and communicate the application of CCUS and related carbon management solutions. 

Richard provides advice to SCCS and EU project partners and key stakeholders, such as Scottish Government and other industry and academic groups, and also contributes to the wider SCCS partnership in terms of knowledge dissemination, outreach and public events. 

Richard previously taught Japanese at UK undergraduate level and worked as a translator and proofreader in Japan and the UK. He holds an MSc in Translation Studies and an MSc in Carbon Management (both The University of Edinburgh). He joined SCCS in 2014.