Picture a world where today's gas-fueled cars have been replaced by electric cars. Imagine planes operating on low-emission biofuels, and stored hydrogen serving as a significant power source. Visualize energy providers and industrial manufacturers reducing emissions by capturing and injecting CO2 — the most prevalent greenhouse gas — deep into the earth and under the sea.
Sound futuristic? The change won’t happen overnight. But the transition has begun, and the reality of a net zero emissions world is edging closer. The oil, gas and chemicals industry, power generation providers, and other heavy energy producers are increasingly exploring carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) for decarbonizing their assets and processes.
The process of carbon capture and utilization (CCU) has been used in the oil industry for enhanced oil recovery since the 1970s. CCUS takes the process a step further. The carbon capture and storage (CCS) component involves collecting carbon-containing greenhouse gas emissions (most commonly CO2) from industrial operations and injecting them deep into a secure geological formation.
Tax credits and other carbon reduction incentives are substantially higher for CO2 storage versus utilization. But geological storage is a newer technology, and the permitting process and technological barriers are more challenging.
“Without making the most of CO2 geological storage capabilities, society won’t reach the global temperature rise–capping goal established by the Paris Climate Agreement,” says Doug Cowin, a Burns & McDonnell project manager who works with companies to develop carbon capture, utilization and storage strategies. “If we want to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining energy reliability and stability, there has to be balance in energy sources. An integrated global effort that relies on multiple components, such as natural gas, renewable energy sources, biofuels, electrification and CCUS, is absolutely necessary.”