Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a technology that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and industrial facilities. It involves capturing CO2 from the exhaust gases and storing it deep underground. CCS can be combined with renewable energy to provide low-carbon electricity when wind and solar production are lowest.
It reduces CO2 emissions
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) involves capturing CO2 from the exhaust gases of fossil-fuel power plants or directly from the air, then transporting it for permanent underground storage. This is done using technologies that are already proven.
Unlike other renewable energy, CCS relies on public subsidies to operate. It also creates new hazardous chemical risks for workers and local communities. This is because pipelines carry toxic, odorless CO2. Moreover, these pipes can leak and cause harm.
It reduces emissions in hard-to-abate sectors
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a key technology for reducing industrial emissions. It can reduce CO2 emissions from hard-to-abate sectors, including steel and cement, that cannot be easily decarbonized through electrification or other carbon-free processes.
CCS can capture and store carbon dioxide emissions in underground geologic formations. The technology is available for a variety of applications, including coal gasification combined cycle power plants and ethanol production.
It reduces emissions in the transport sector
CCS (also known as CCUS) involves taking carbon dioxide from power plants or other industrial processes and transporting it to a storage site. Once it is there, it is injected into rock formations deep underground for permanent storage.
This energy-intensive process doesn’t reduce emissions much. And even the world’s biggest CCS project, Chevron Gorgon, hasn’t met its targets despite decades of development and billions in subsidies.
It reduces emissions in the power sector
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) removes climate-warming emissions from fossil fuel power plants and industrial processes. It is then stored in geological formations, such as used oil and natural gas reservoirs or deep saline formations.
Currently, CCS technologies separate CO2 from exhaust gases or directly remove it from the atmosphere. This technology is often paired with bioenergy with carbon storage, which uses forests and crops to produce electricity or fuels.
It reduces emissions in the cement sector
Carbon capture and storage is a key technology for reducing CO2 emissions from existing power plants, as well as from industrial processes like cement and steel production. It can also be used to decarbonise ‘hard-to-decarbonise’ sectors where other mitigation options are limited.
CycloneCC is a modular, scalable solution that can be installed in less than 8 weeks. This enables companies to start their CCUS project sooner and grow their deployment over time in line with their strategy.
It reduces emissions in the steel sector
Carbon capture and storage, or CCUS, is a suite of proven technologies that can reduce CO2 emissions from power plants and industrial facilities. The captured carbon dioxide is then stored underground in a geological formation for permanent storage.
Integrated steel mills have many major emissions sources, making it difficult to achieve net zero emissions goals without multiple carbon capture systems. However, if steelmakers switch to clean electricity, their emissions intensity could be reduced by a third.
It reduces emissions in the petrochemical sector
Carbon capture and storage (CCS, or CCUS when it includes ‘utilisation’) is a suite of technologies that can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and other industrial sources. It involves separating CO2 from exhaust gases or directly from the air, transporting it and storing it deep underground.
CCS entrenches the fossil fuel and biomass/biofuel industries, which already disproportionately harm frontline communities. It also poses serious safety and pollution risks, including leaks, explosions and waste.
It reduces emissions in the oil sector
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a technology that captures CO2 from industrial sources and safely stores it in deep underground geologic formations. This process can significantly reduce emissions from oil and gas processes.
The captured carbon dioxide is then transported to its storage site via pipelines or special-adapted ships. It can also be used for enhanced oil recovery.
Currently, there are several CCS projects in operation worldwide.
It reduces emissions in the gas sector
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) involves capturing carbon dioxide emissions from power plants or industrial processes and storing them in secure geological formations. This is a key step in reducing climate change impacts.
CCS is a risky technology with significant environmental, economic, and safety risks. Its transport and injection are complex, requiring perilous pipelines and huge quantities of energy. It also threatens ecosystems and human health.
It reduces emissions in the coal sector
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a suite of proven technologies that captures CO2 from industrial exhaust gases or directly from the atmosphere, transports it, and permanently stores it deep underground in geological formations. It could be one of our key tools for tackling climate change.
However, plants with CCS require more coal to operate, increasing the environmental impacts of mining and transporting that fuel. It also increases the risk of leaks and safety incidents.