CCS uses established technologies to capture, transport and store carbon dioxide emissions from large point sources, such as power stations. It also has an important role to play to ensure manufacturing industries, such as steel and cement, can continue to operate, without the associated emissions.
CCS is a key tool in tackling climate change, providing energy security, creating jobs and economic prosperity.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) states that CCS could reduce global CO2 emissions by 19%, and that fighting climate change could cost 70% more without CCS.
From its base in London the Carbon Capture & Storage Association brings together specialist companies in manufacturing & processing, power generation, engineering & contracting, oil, gas & minerals as well as a wide range of support services to the energy sector such as law, finance, consultancy and project management.
The Association is a model for sectoral cooperation in business development and its existence is welcomed by government.
What is CCS?
CCS, or Carbon Capture and Storage, is a low carbon technology which captures carbon dioxide (CO2) from the burning of coal and gas for power generation, and from the manufacturing of steel, cement and other industrial facilities. The CO2 is then transported by either pipeline or ship, for safe and permanent underground storage, preventing it from entering the atmosphere and contributing to anthropogenic climate change.
How much CO2 can be captured through CCS?
CCS can capture up to 90% of CO2 emissions from power generation or the production of steel and cement. On a typical (900MW) coal fired power plant with CCS, this means 5 million tonnes of CO2 could be captured each year – the equivalent of taking over 2 million cars off the road.
A round-up of the headlines this week
UK News
- Crunch time for green technology as sea-test starts
- Carbon Capture and Storage Cost Reduction Task Force appoints supremo
- CO2-EOR as a ‘soft start’ for UK CCS
- UK’s David Cameron sees North Sea as green energy hub
International News
- $271m for carbon storage areas
- Masdar completes CO2 capture project
- America has room to store 500 years of emissions
- World-class Coal Facility Advances with IDEM Proposed Permit
- Norway opens major facility to test carbon capture
- SA endorses carbon capture roadmap
- North American Carbon Storage Atlas Unveiled
- Company also requests binding CO2 emissions limit for gasification process
- Global CCS Institute to facilitate CCS knowledge sharing in Europe
- EU urges gas partner Russia to back carbon capture
- Alberta’s carbon capture efforts set back
