Carbon capture and storage

Definition

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a technology designed to prevent large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) from entering the atmosphere, primarily from industrial processes and power generation. The process involves capturing CO2 emissions at their source, transporting it to a storage site, and then injecting it underground in geological formations for long-term storage. This method is critical for mitigating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. CCS has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions from industrial sources by up to 90%, significantly contributing to climate change mitigation efforts.
2. The captured CO2 can be stored in various geological formations, such as depleted oil and gas fields or deep saline aquifers, which are typically over a kilometer below the Earth's surface.
3. Implementing CCS requires significant investment in infrastructure and technology, making it a complex and costly solution that may not be widely adopted without supportive policies.
4. As of now, several large-scale CCS projects are operational worldwide, demonstrating its feasibility as a method for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
5. CCS can also be paired with bioenergy (BECCS), where biomass is used to generate energy while capturing and storing the resulting CO2, potentially creating negative emissions.

Review Questions

• How does carbon capture and storage contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?
  • Carbon capture and storage directly addresses greenhouse gas emissions by capturing CO2 before it can enter the atmosphere during industrial processes or energy production. Once captured, the CO2 is transported and injected into underground geological formations for long-term storage. This process not only reduces the total amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere but also helps stabilize atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases, playing a vital role in climate change mitigation strategies.
• Discuss the challenges associated with implementing carbon capture and storage technology at a global scale.
  • Implementing carbon capture and storage technology globally faces several challenges, including high costs associated with developing necessary infrastructure, technological hurdles in capturing CO2 efficiently, and regulatory frameworks that must support such initiatives. Additionally, public acceptance of underground storage sites can be problematic due to concerns about safety and environmental impacts. These challenges make widespread adoption difficult without strong governmental policies and incentives to promote investment in CCS technologies.
• Evaluate the potential impact of carbon capture and storage on future energy production and climate policy.
  • The integration of carbon capture and storage into energy production has significant implications for climate policy. If adopted widely, CCS could enable continued use of fossil fuels while drastically reducing emissions, thus easing the transition toward a low-carbon economy. However, reliance on CCS could also slow down investments in renewable energy sources if seen as a 'band-aid' solution rather than addressing the root cause of emissions. Consequently, effective climate policies will need to balance supporting CCS development while aggressively promoting renewable energy technologies to achieve long-term sustainability goals.

Related terms

greenhouse gases: Gases in the Earth's atmosphere that trap heat, including CO2, methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O), which contribute to the greenhouse effect.

fossil fuels: Natural substances such as coal, oil, and natural gas that release CO2 when burned for energy, playing a significant role in global warming.

geological sequestration: The process of storing captured carbon dioxide deep underground in rock formations, preventing it from escaping into the atmosphere.