Carbon capture and storage

Definition

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a technology aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) produced from the use of fossil fuels in electricity generation and storing it underground to prevent it from entering the atmosphere. This process not only helps mitigate climate change but also plays a vital role in transitioning to cleaner energy technologies, highlighting its significance in environmental management and clean energy strategies.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. CCS has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions from large point sources, such as coal-fired power plants, by up to 90%.
2. The captured CO2 can be transported via pipelines and injected into geological formations, such as depleted oil fields or deep saline aquifers, for long-term storage.
3. CCS is considered essential for achieving net-zero emissions targets as it addresses emissions that are hard to eliminate through other means.
4. The implementation of CCS can create economic opportunities through new jobs in the clean tech sector and stimulate local economies.
5. Critics argue that reliance on CCS may delay the transition to renewable energy sources, making it crucial to balance its use with broader sustainability goals.

Review Questions

• How does carbon capture and storage contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions?
  • Carbon capture and storage helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions by capturing carbon dioxide produced during energy generation from fossil fuels before it enters the atmosphere. The captured CO2 is then stored underground in geological formations. By doing so, CCS significantly lowers the overall carbon footprint of industrial processes and power plants, playing a critical role in climate change mitigation strategies.
• Discuss the potential economic impacts of implementing carbon capture and storage technologies.
  • Implementing carbon capture and storage technologies can have significant economic impacts by creating jobs in new sectors such as engineering, construction, and maintenance related to CCS facilities. Additionally, CCS projects can stimulate local economies by attracting investments and fostering innovation in clean technologies. However, there are also concerns about the costs associated with developing and maintaining these technologies, which may affect their broader adoption.
• Evaluate the challenges and benefits of relying on carbon capture and storage in achieving net-zero emissions targets.
  • Relying on carbon capture and storage presents both challenges and benefits when aiming for net-zero emissions targets. On one hand, CCS is beneficial as it can effectively reduce emissions from industries that are hard to decarbonize. On the other hand, challenges include high costs, technological limitations, and potential public opposition regarding safety and environmental concerns. Balancing these factors is essential for integrating CCS into a comprehensive strategy for achieving long-term sustainability while still transitioning towards renewable energy sources.

Related terms

Greenhouse Gases: Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, contributing to global warming.

Renewable Energy: Energy generated from natural processes that are continuously replenished, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power.

Enhanced Oil Recovery:

A technique used to extract additional oil from reservoirs by injecting gases like CO2 into the wells, which can also be part of CCS processes.