What is CCS?
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) refers to three technologies that when combined, play an essential role in meeting global energy needs and climate goals. CCS can be applied across sectors vital to our economy, including cement, steel, fertilizers, power generation and natural gas processing, and can be used in the production of clean hydrogen.
CCS is the process of capturing carbon dioxide (CO₂) and injecting it deep underground for safe, secure and permanent storage. Due to the scale of these projects and their ability to mitigate hard-to-decarbonize sectors, CCS can deliver large-scale emissions reductions.
Carbon capture and storage involves three technologies, or steps:
1. Capture
First, CO₂ is separated from other gases released at large industrial facilities, such as steel and petrochemical facilities or power plants, or directly from the atmosphere.
The process of capturing CO₂ has been implemented for decades.
2. Transport
Once captured, the CO₂ is compressed into a liquid for transportation. Typically CO₂ is transported by pipeline, which is the safest way to transport liquid energy. Specifically, according to the Liquid Energy Pipeline Association, CO₂ pipelines have the best track record of all types of energy pipelines. Pipeline transport also helps ensure the CO₂ does not enter the atmosphere.
3. Storage
When it reaches the storage site, the CO₂ is then injected into deep underground rock formations at least 4,000 feet underground and as far as 10,000 feet, well below any sources of drinking water, which are usually less than 1,000 feet below the surface. These rock formations are similar to what has held oil, natural gas and naturally occurring CO₂ underground for millions of years.
The CO₂ is safely and permanently stored and over time, will either mineralize with the surrounding rock or dissolve. According to the Global CCS Institute, close to 300 million tons of CO₂ has already been safely and successfully injected underground around the world.
Role in Energy Diversification
Climate researchers agree CCS will play a critical role in achieving global climate goals.
CCS will contribute significantly to reducing the impact of carbon-intense sectors — consumer energy production and industrial processes including fertilizer production, cement and steel where electrification is not a viable solution. These sectors are critical to daily life and can be made carbon neutral or even negative without disrupting existing infrastructure using CCS technology.
CCS is a safe, proven technology that reduces emissions in hard-to-decarbonize sectors of the economy, such as heavy industrial and manufacturing, and enables them to continue to grow and create jobs while substantially reducing environmental impacts. It will be difficult if not impossible to reduce emissions to desired levels without the utilization of carbon capture technologies.
CCS technologies play
a vital role in global decarbonization
CCS can decarbonize sectors where alternatives are limited, including the highest-emitting sectors that are essential for modern life. They produce electricity to power homes and workplaces. They provide fuels and lubricants for transportation, cement and steel for construction, and the building blocks
for a variety of important products, ranging from medical supplies to food packaging.CCS can help deliver the carbon reductions required to reach state and national climate goals.
CCS is an important stepping stone for today’s industries to transition to fuels of the future, like hydrogen and ammonia.
“It is now irrefutable that Paris targets can only be achieved by embracing a complete cache of clean solutions – of which CCS must be one.”
“Without CCUS as part of the solution, meeting global climate goals will be practically impossible.”
CCS History
Overview
