Steven G Whittaker

Steven G Whittaker serves as an Affiliate at the Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, specializing in geological storage solutions and sustainable energy systems. His work bridges earth sciences and energy engineering with a focus on practical carbon management and geothermal innovation in the Midwest.

Whittaker's research centers on Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) implementation, geological risk assessment for buoyant fluid storage, and repurposing oil/gas infrastructure for geothermal energy systems. Key interests include Illinois Basin storage characterization, CO₂ sequestration safety, and advanced site evaluation methodologies for carbon storage projects, emphasizing real-world applicability in regional geological contexts.

His recent publications reveal a concentrated focus on integrating carbon storage and geothermal energy through projects like CarbonSAFE, with strong emphasis on Illinois Basin case studies and Midwest geological formations. Research consistently addresses subsurface uncertainty, reservoir confinement, and repurposing legacy energy infrastructure for climate solutions.

Whittaker actively collaborates on U.S. Department of Energy-funded initiatives including CarbonSAFE, contributing to technical reports on site characterization and geological analysis. He operates within the Prairie Research Institute's framework, leveraging Illinois State Geological Survey resources for field-scale investigations and reservoir assessments across Illinois and Indiana.