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 Programme Manager and Decarbonisation Research and Technical Adviser at SCCS, where she contributes to the strategic development and delivery of research, innovation, knowledge exchange and consultancy activities supporting carbon capture and storage and wider industrial decarbonisation.

Her work spans the development and coordination of collaborative research projects and proposals, techno-economic analysis, project and programme management, and engagement with academic, industry, government and policy stakeholders. She has particular experience in translating technical research into accessible and actionable outputs, and in developing communication, dissemination, stakeholder engagement and exploitation activities for national and international research projects.

As Programme Manager, Erika supports the coordination and strategic development of SCCS activities, including project delivery, proposal development, partnerships and research opportunities across CCS, carbon dioxide removal and wider decarbonisation.

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

Erika joined SCCS in 2022 and has more than 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 Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 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.