What is Carbon Capture and Storage?

For decades, greenhouse gases (GHGs) have been released into our atmosphere by human activity. Any activity that involves the combustion of fossil fuels (e.g., motorized vehicles, energy production, manufacturing, and agriculture) emits signficants amounts of GHGs, primarily carbon dioxide (CO2). Once these GHGs are in the atmosphere, they absorb heat, thereby preventing some of it from escaping the Earth. This has resulted in changes to climate on a global scale¹.

In Canada, the federal government established a 2030 deadline to reduce the nation’s GHG emissions by 40 to 45% (relative to 2005 emissions). According to a report², southwestern Ontario produces approximately 20 MT (20 million metric tonnes) of CO2 emissions per year. The main industries that contribute to this total are iron/steel production, oil refineries and petrochemicals, cement and lime production, electricity generation and auto manufacturing.

CO2 emissions in southwestern Ontario by industrial Sector. (see footnote 2 for reference)

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) has emerged as a promising technology with the potential to play a pivotal role in addressing climate change. CCS is a process that involves capturing CO2 emissions from industrial sources (for example, power plants and factories) transporting the captured CO2 (via pipelines, train, truck or boat), and storing it in underground geological formations (depleted oil and gas fields or deep saline aquifers). The primary objective of CCS is to prevent a significant portion of CO2 emissions from entering the atmosphere and contributing to climate change.

There are carbon capture facilities around the world, including two in Canada. In Alberta, the Quest project, operated by Shell Canada, captures and stores about 1 MT of CO2 each year, and in southern Saskatchewan, the Boundary Dam 3 project, CO2 is captured from coal-powered electricity generation and the CO2 is directed to enhanced oil recovery (with about 10% diverted to geological storage). This latter project has captured over 4.5 MT of CO2 since 2014.

Challenges

Despite its potential benefits, CCS faces several challenges that must be addressed for it to become a widely adopted and effective:

1. Cost: CCS involves complex technologies and substantial infrastructure, making it expensive compared to other mitigation options. The costs associated with capturing, transporting, and storing CO2 can hinder the widespread adoption of CCS without adequate financial incentives and policies.

2. Regulatory Framework: The lack of consistent and comprehensive regulatory frameworks for CCS in many regions can hinder project development and raise uncertainties for investors.

3. Infrastructure and Storage Sites: Identifying suitable geologic storage sites, building transportation infrastructure, and ensuring the long-term integrity of storage formations require extensive planning and investment.

4. Public Perception: The idea of storing CO2 underground raises concerns about potential leaks and environmental risks. Public acceptance and trust are crucial for the successful implementation of CCS projects.

Future Prospects and Outlook

The future of CCS depends on various factors, including technological advancements, policy support, public perception, and international collaboration. Several developments are shaping the outlook for CCS:

1. Research and Innovation: Continued research and innovation are essential to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of CCS technologies. Breakthroughs in materials science, capture techniques, and storage monitoring can contribute to overcoming current limitations.

2. Policy Support: Governments and international organizations must play a crucial role in incentivizing CCS deployment through regulatory frameworks, carbon pricing mechanisms, and financial incentives. Clear policies can provide investors with the confidence needed to support CCS projects.

Summary

Carbon capture and storage holds significant promise as a vital tool in the fight against climate change. While it faces challenges such as cost, public perception, and regulatory frameworks, the potential benefits of CCS, including substantial emission reductions and the ability to address hard-to-decarbonize sectors, cannot be overlooked. To unlock the full potential of CCS, concerted efforts from governments, industries, researchers are required. By investing in research, incentivizing deployment, CCS is an important technology that will help us transition towards a more sustainable and climate-resilient future.

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1. This article will not debate whether or not climate change is real, because it’s not a debate. The climate is changing whether one chooses to believe or not.

2. Most of the data in this article are from “Geological CO2 storage in Southwestern Ontario”, by Geofirma Engineering. A report prepared for CanmetEnergy Natural Resources Canada. July 17, 2023. If you want a PDF copy of this report, let me know!