As the world looks to decarbonize, carbon capture technologies face hurdles in scaling up and gaining public acceptance.
Technologies that capture carbon dioxide emissions have become central to the climate strategies of many governments worldwide. However, despite their potential to mitigate climate change, these technologies face significant challenges. Expensive and unproven at scale, carbon capture and storage (CCS) and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) struggle to gain traction in the market. As world leaders gather for the United Nations climate change conference, the future role of carbon capture in a climate-friendly world takes center stage. This article explores the current state of the industry, the obstacles to widespread deployment, and potential pathways forward.
Forms of Carbon Capture
The most common form of carbon capture involves capturing the gas from industrial smokestacks and either storing it underground or using it for other industrial purposes. Currently, there are 42 operational commercial CCS and CCUS projects worldwide, with a total capacity to store 49 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually. However, this accounts for only 0.13% of the world’s annual energy and industry-related carbon dioxide emissions. The majority of these projects (78%) use captured carbon for enhanced oil recovery, a practice criticized by environmentalists. The remaining projects focus on permanent underground storage without boosting oil output. Additionally, direct air capture (DAC) facilities, which capture carbon emissions from the air, are being planned globally, with 27 commissioned facilities capturing 10,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually.
High Costs
One significant hurdle to widespread deployment of carbon capture technologies is cost. CCS costs range from $15 to $120 per metric ton of captured carbon, while DAC projects are even more expensive, ranging from $600 to $1,000 per metric ton. The high costs stem from the energy-intensive process of capturing carbon from the atmosphere. Some CCS projects have been paused due to financial constraints, emphasizing the need for profitable business models. Governments, such as the United States, have introduced public subsidies to incentivize carbon capture projects. However, companies may still need to shoulder additional costs to move these projects forward. Previous failures, such as a Texas coal plant project plagued by mechanical problems, highlight the importance of proving the technology’s readiness.
Location Constraints
The storage of captured carbon is limited by geology, which becomes a more significant challenge as carbon capture scales up. The best storage sites for carbon are found in North America, East Africa, and the North Sea. Transporting captured carbon to these sites requires extensive pipeline networks or shipping fleets, posing potential obstacles. Concerns about leaks and construction damage led to the cancellation of a $3 billion CCS pipeline project in the U.S. Midwest. Community concerns about new infrastructure projects must be taken seriously by companies investing in carbon removal. Not all technologies will be feasible in all locations, and careful consideration must be given to the social and environmental impacts of carbon capture projects.
Conclusion:
Carbon capture technologies hold promise in the fight against climate change, but significant challenges impede their widespread deployment. High costs, limited profitability, and location constraints hinder the scaling up of carbon capture projects. Governments and industry stakeholders must work together to create favorable economic conditions, such as carbon pricing mechanisms, to incentivize investment in carbon capture. Additionally, addressing public concerns and ensuring transparency in project development will be crucial for gaining public acceptance. As the world seeks to decarbonize and achieve climate goals, finding solutions to these challenges will be vital for the future of carbon capture.
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