Carbon capture and storage

Definition

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a technological process that captures carbon dioxide emissions produced from the use of fossil fuels in electricity generation and industrial processes, preventing the gas from entering the atmosphere. This technology is critical for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change, especially when looking at future scenarios that involve ongoing fossil fuel use. CCS connects directly to the types and sources of greenhouse gases emitted, addresses human activities that disrupt the carbon cycle, and plays a significant role in advancing innovative technologies aimed at managing carbon emissions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. CCS can potentially reduce carbon dioxide emissions from large point sources, like power plants and industrial facilities, by up to 90%.
2. The captured carbon dioxide can be stored underground in geological formations or used in various applications such as enhanced oil recovery.
3. Investments in CCS technologies are crucial for meeting global climate targets and transitioning to a low-carbon economy.
4. Several pilot projects around the world demonstrate the feasibility of CCS, yet scalability and cost-effectiveness remain significant challenges.
5. CCS is often viewed as a bridge technology that allows for continued fossil fuel use while reducing overall greenhouse gas emissions.

Review Questions

• How does carbon capture and storage contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions?
  • Carbon capture and storage plays a vital role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by capturing carbon dioxide before it can be released into the atmosphere from fossil fuel combustion. By implementing CCS technologies at power plants and industrial sites, substantial amounts of CO2 can be prevented from contributing to climate change. This is particularly important as many countries still rely heavily on fossil fuels for energy production; thus, CCS offers a way to mitigate emissions while transitioning to more sustainable energy sources.
• Discuss the relationship between carbon capture and storage technologies and human perturbations to the carbon cycle.
  • Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, have significantly perturbed the natural carbon cycle, leading to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and climate change. Carbon capture and storage technologies aim to counteract these disturbances by capturing CO2 emissions at their source before they enter the atmosphere. By doing so, CCS helps restore balance to the carbon cycle by reducing excess carbon levels and supporting efforts toward sustainability in our energy systems.
• Evaluate the potential impact of widespread implementation of carbon capture and storage on future scenarios of greenhouse gas emissions.
  • The widespread implementation of carbon capture and storage could significantly alter future scenarios of greenhouse gas emissions by enabling continued use of fossil fuels while drastically reducing their environmental impact. If adopted globally, CCS could help achieve net-zero emissions targets by allowing for the safe storage or repurposing of captured CO2. However, this potential hinges on overcoming current challenges related to cost, scalability, and public acceptance; thus, achieving this impact requires coordinated policy support, technological innovation, and investment in infrastructure.

Related terms

Greenhouse gases: Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect and climate change. Major greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.

Carbon cycle: The natural process through which carbon is exchanged among the Earth's atmosphere, oceans, soil, and living organisms, essential for life but disrupted by human activities.

Direct air capture: A technology that captures carbon dioxide directly from the ambient air, allowing for negative emissions and contributing to climate change mitigation efforts.