Franz Josef Radermacher and Tobias Orthen (both GES und FAW\/n) are working with the Council of Engineers for the Energy Transition (CEET). This article summarizes the key findings of the CEET\u2019s Policy Brief on Carbon Capture and Usage\/Storage which will officially be released soon. First findings were already presented in a panel discussion moderated by T. Orthen at the 29 UN Climate Conference in Baku 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The CEET is a \u201cglobal high-level body of engineers and energy systems experts contributing to the UN Secretary-General\u2019s goal of building a coalition to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The CEET was launched in September 2021 and is co-chaired by Dr. Gerd M\u00fcller, Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and Professor Jeffrey Sachs, President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world is at a critical turning point in the fight against climate change. In 2022 alone, global carbon dioxide (CO\u2082) emissions from energy and industry reached an alarming 37 gigatons, with power generation, manufacturing, and transportation sectors contributing the most. Despite rapid advancements in renewable energy, such as wind and solar, global dependence on fossil fuels remains high, especially in heavy industries where alternatives are still developing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While energy efficiency and electrification are essential, they are not enough to reduce emissions to the levels needed to meet global climate goals. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology has emerged as a crucial solution to bridge this gap by capturing emissions at the source and either repurposing or storing them safely underground. Many climate experts agree that without large-scale CCS deployment, achieving net-zero emissions by mid-century will be nearly impossible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CCS is a process designed to capture CO\u2082 emissions from power plants, industrial facilities, and other major sources before they enter the atmosphere. The process consists of three main steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is also Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS), where captured CO\u2082 is repurposed for industrial applications, such as synthetic fuels, chemicals, and even concrete production. However, if not bound permanently, CO\u2082 from utilization may eventually return to the atmosphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CCS technology has seen rapid growth in recent years. In 2024, there were 50 operational CCS facilities worldwide, with another 44 under construction and over 500 projects in various development stages. This surge in projects signals increasing confidence in CCS as a viable climate solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Certain industries are particularly reliant on CCS due to their inherent emissions and the lack of viable alternatives:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Graphic 1(see PDF)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite its potential, CCS faces several hurdles that must be overcome to scale effectively:<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the biggest challenges is cost. Capturing and storing CO\u2082 can be expensive, with costs varying depending on factors such as CO\u2082 concentration, transportation distance, and storage site characteristics. Currently, estimates suggest that the cost of CCS can range from $50 to $100 per ton of CO\u2082 avoided. In addition, the technical efficiency of the basic processes deteriorates by 5\u201310 percentage points, which also affects the profitability of the projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Governments and organizations are working on financial incentives to make CCS more economically viable, such as carbon pricing mechanisms that charge companies for emissions, making CCS a cost-effective alternative. Also, tax credits and subsidies (e.g., the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act offers $85 per ton of CO\u2082 stored) are discussed as well as investment in CCS hubs, which share infrastructure among multiple companies to reduce costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Graphic 2(see PDF)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n CCS has faced skepticism, with some viewing it as a way for fossil fuel industries to prolong their operations rather than transitioning to cleaner alternatives. It should be borne in mind that more than 75 per cent of the energy used worldwide is currently still based on fossil fuels and that it will not be possible to do without these energy sources on a global scale for decades due to the economic interests of producers and consumers. In addition, experts argue that CCS is a necessary tool for industries where emissions are unavoidable. Effective communication and public engagement are essential to gaining trust in CCS initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The legal framework for CO\u2082 storage and transportation is still evolving. One key challenge is that CO\u2082 sources and storage sites are often located in different countries, requiring cross-border agreements and regulatory alignment. For example, Germany plans to export captured CO\u2082 to Norway for offshore storage, but current EU regulations pose hurdles to such international collaborations. However, even in Germany relevance for CCUS has been increasing recently, e.g. through the adoption of the so-called Carbon Management Strategy of the Federal Government in early 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One promising avenue for CCS financing is carbon credit markets. Article 6 of the Paris Agreement allows countries to trade emissions reductions, meaning companies or nations that invest in CCS can earn credits that can be sold to others needing to offset their emissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, challenges remain, such as determining how to properly account for CO\u2082 that is captured in one country but stored in another. International collaboration is needed to develop clear accounting rules and market incentives for CCS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To accelerate CCS adoption, technological innovations are making the process more cost-effective and efficient. Firstly, advanced materials, e.g. new solvent and membrane technologies, are improving CO\u2082 capture efficiency while reducing energy requirements. Secondly, CCS hubs and clusters gain importance, meaning large-scale CCS networks, such as those in the UK and Norway which are reducing costs by sharing infrastructure among industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the world races to meet net-zero targets by 2050, CCS will play a critical role in reducing emissions from hard-to-abate industries. While challenges remain, increasing investment, policy support, and technological advancements are making CCS a more viable and essential climate solution. CCS is necessary for decarbonizing industries like cement, steel, and chemicals. Over 50 commercial CCS facilities are already operational, with many more on the way. Financial incentives, regulatory reforms, and public awareness are key to CCS success. Innovations are making CCS more efficient and cost-effective. With growing global momentum, CCS is no longer just an experimental technology\u2014it is a cornerstone of the clean energy transition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sources cited in PDF: Global CCS Institute, 2024. Global status of CCS 2024. https:\/\/www.globalccsinstitute.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Global-Status-Report-2024-Interactive.pdf; DNV Energy transition outlook 2023. https:\/\/www.dnv.com\/energy-transition-outlook\/download<\/small><\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"autor":[95,98],"publikationskategorien":[57],"class_list":["post-6293","publikation","type-publikation","status-publish","hentry","autor-franz-josef-radermacher-en","autor-tobias-orthen-en","publikationskategorien-background-paper"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/global-energy-solutions.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/publikation\/6293","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/global-energy-solutions.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/publikation"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/global-energy-solutions.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/publikation"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/global-energy-solutions.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6293"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"autor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/global-energy-solutions.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/autor?post=6293"},{"taxonomy":"publikationskategorien","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/global-energy-solutions.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/publikationskategorien?post=6293"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Challenges Facing CCS Deployment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Costs and Financial Barriers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Public Perception and Skepticism<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Regulatory and Legal Barriers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Role of CCS in Carbon Markets (Article 6 of the Paris Agreement)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Innovations and Future Outlook<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Conclusion: The Road Ahead for CCS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n