CARBON NOT CAPTURED

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on pinterest
Pinterest
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn

Understanding why one of the biggest promises of carbon emission management, carbon capture technology, struggles to take off.


 

In the face of climate change and global warming, climate activists and scientific experts have had to come up with innovative solutions to combat this dangerous problem. While the world has passed the point of being able to undo the harm from global warming, experts and climate enthusiasts are now looking to at least stop the planet from crossing into a state of complete, irreversible environmental doom.

Amongst many of these efforts, the innovation of carbon capture has been a highly remarkable achievement. Unfortunately, despite decades of resources being invested in the technology, carbon capture has failed to attain the level of success it deserves. Why has this been the case? Why has carbon capture technology, despite all its potential to combat greenhouse gas emissions, not seen the widespread adoption and commercial success it deserves?

Many of the reasons behind the unsuccessful endeavour of carbon capture are rooted in its commercial disadvantages, alongside unfavourable policy conditions and hesitance in its social acceptance.

POTENTIAL OF CARBON CAPTURE TECHNOLOGY

Carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) technology, or simply carbon capture, is a technological innovation that functions to captivate carbon dioxide produced as a result of industrial processes.

The technology prevents the emitted carbon dioxide from escaping into the atmosphere where it will otherwise inevitably assimilate and further enhance global warming. This captured carbon dioxide is then fated to either be stored or be used in industrial processes. Simply, the carbon dioxide is stopped from entering the atmosphere and instead stored or employed elsewhere where it will be unable to cause environmental damage.

The main industries that benefit from carbon capture technology include steel manufacturing, cement production, and power generation amongst other industries that involve large-scale carbon emissions. Given the irreplaceable nature of these industries, integration of carbon capture technology into their systems creates potential for minimised net-carbon production.

HISTORY OF CARBON CAPTURE

A primitive form of carbon capture dates back to the 1920s when it was used to separate carbon dioxide, naturally found in gas reservoirs, from the saleable methane gas.

The idea of the carbon capture technology we are better accustomed to today was first proposed in 1938, with its first large-scale implementation involving injecting carbon dioxide into the ground, applied in Texas’s Sharon Ridge oilfield in 1972. Despite the aim of this project being to boost oil recovery in a process called Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR), the undertaking’s immense success proved exactly how beneficial it can be to not only prevent carbon dioxide from escaping to the atmosphere but also to retrieve more from oil fields.

Twenty-four years later, carbon capture witnessed its first integration and storage project by Norway in the North Sea.

At present, 43 large-scale commercial CCUS facilities exist across the world.


The technology prevents the emitted carbon dioxide from escaping into the atmosphere where it will otherwise inevitably assimilate and further enhance global warming. This captured carbon dioxide is then fated to either be stored or be used in industrial processes.


WHY IS CARBON CAPTURE STRUGGLING TO TAKE OFF?

Despite its immense potential in mitigating global warming and, in turn, climate change, carbon capture technology’s success remains elusive. Even with programmes like the European Union’s Horizon 2020 and the United States’ Clean Coal Power Initiative that have helped nurture the integration of carbon capture, the innovation has attained underwhelming success for a plethora of reasons.

ECONOMICALLY UNFEASIBLE, LIMITED REVENUE STREAMS

The process of carbon capture is hardly economically feasible – the cost of capturing carbon dioxide in the first stages from industrial emissions remains significantly high. Although the technology’s benefits are recognised, its cost barriers prove adoption of carbon capture uneconomic for many industries, especially compared to alternatives like renewable energy.

In addition, CCUS also involves costly construction and operation of its facilities, making it an unattractive candidate to many industries. Coupled with disputed pricing conditions and provisions of incentives, private industries find the technology to be a hassle to deal with, thus making the adoption of CCUS a struggle.

Furthermore, many a time, carbon capture operations fail to provide sufficient revenue for industry-owners to consider utilising it. Owing to CCUS’s lack of diverse revenue streams, the technology is unable to provide incentives to industries for them to use it.

CO2 CHALLENGING TO STORE

Carbon dioxide, or CO2, is difficult and costly to store. It is crucial to ensure the CO2 is stored safely to prevent leakage and minimise risks, thus making it challenging to find suitable storage sites. This translates to more difficult project approval processes, which, coupled with the fact that CCUS is already economically unattractive, makes the implementation of carbon capture technology a troublesome decision.


The process of carbon capture is hardly economically feasible – the cost of capturing carbon dioxide in the first stages from industrial emissions remains significantly high.


DIFFICULT REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT

Despite decades of research and development, CCUS still remains a fairly new technology in the sense that it has not existed in the industrial processes on a scale significant enough for it to be considered mainstream. 

For this reason, carbon capture projects often come face to face with hurdles relating to permits, operational safety, and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) from policymakers and government bodies. This setback further hinders the implementation of CCUS as it delays project development and, in many cases, increases costs. 

HESITANCE IN PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE

Relating to the storage risks previously mentioned, paired with what is called ‘a fear of the unknown’, it has not gone unnoticed that the general public has displayed a reluctance to accept carbon capture technology.

Leakages, especially when they may cause groundwater contamination, have been cause for concern amongst the public, often leading to opposition to new CCUS projects.

While this is a more resolvable aspect of the overall problem with the help of education and awareness programmes, it currently stands as a hindrance for carbon capture to be utilised more extensively.

TREES ARE EQUALLY IMPORTANT

While technocentrism like carbon capture is certainly important to mitigate climate problems, it is equally important to recognise the need to protect and preserve our natural resources – in this case, trees.

Interestingly, trees actually prove more effective than the costly and complex CCUS and are the most efficient carbon capture system on the planet for a plethora of reasons.

On land, trees function as natural carbon sinks. As part of photosynthesis, trees absorb CO2 and convert it to oxygen while storing the carbon in their trunks, branches, and roots. In the oceans, algae serve the same function and account for around 45-50% of the carbon naturally stored on the planet.

Additionally, trees have a significant duty in the ecosystem in their role as biomass storage. Forests collectively store billions of tons of carbon that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere.

PROTECTING THE NATURAL CARBON CAPTURES

Alongside innovating new technologies to ensure artificial carbon capture methods, it is just as important to protect the trees that are the natural carbon capture systems.

Afforestation and reforestation efforts, with the former meaning the planting of trees in areas with no prior forest, and the latter meaning replanting trees in deforested areas, are two of the most straightforward yet significant solutions to the problem.

Furthermore, systems to integrate greenery in urban spaces are viable solutions to mitigate the climate problem. Cities with higher emissions not only from industries but also from vehicles will find it especially beneficial in controlling the emissions and the resultant heat by making room for urban greenery.


As part of photosynthesis, trees absorb CO2 and convert it to oxygen while storing the carbon in their trunks, branches, and roots. In the oceans, algae serve the same function and account for around 45-50% of the carbon naturally stored on the planet.


PAVING THE WAY FORWARD

Regardless of the numerous challenges facing carbon capture technology and the preservation of trees, it is important to remain persistent in the pursuit of such endeavours. With the world having already approached a state of nearly irreversible climate damage, both ecocentric solutions like preserving existing forests and technocentric solutions like CCUS are approaches that should not be overlooked.

Growing recognition of the climate emergency and solutions like CCUS has been observed. Efforts to transform this recognition into action can be made through awareness and education programmes to build public trust.

Governments should collaborate with industries to foster a simpler regulatory environment to reduce hindrances to carbon capture project approvals while ensuring there is no neglect of operational safety.

Industries should display more enthusiasm and less greed in implementing CCUS technology. Additionally, further research alongside investments should be produced to make CCUS more cost-effective and therefore a more attractive addition to industries.

Collaboration between multiple stakeholders and work on multiple fronts is required to ensure CCUS’s success. Although carbon capture technology has yet to unleash its full potential, it cannot be denied that it is a promising solution to the climate issue. Innovations like CCUS in collaboration with other climate solutions pave the way for a more hopeful future, where our planet is not as endangered as it is now.

Share:

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on pinterest
Pinterest
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn
On Key

Related Posts

THE TELEPHOTO REVOLUTION

From professional-grade telephoto lenses to advanced AI features, the vivo X200 redefines mobile photography in collaboration with ZEISS.   In the realm of flagship smartphones,

THE POWER OF INNOVATION

Duke, CEO of vivo Bangladesh, highlights how the company’s leading technological innovations and committed CSR initiatives are empowering individuals digitally and enriching lives.   As

TECH STARS

Since 2007, Star Tech Ltd. has been a trusted name in Bangladesh, renowned for exceptional customer service and a user-friendly online shopping experience. Managing Director

ORGANIC GROWTH FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS

Md. Faruk Khan, Co-founder and CEO of Khan IT, adjunct faculty at United International University & National University, and SEO instructor at 10 Minute School

THE GREEN BLUEPRINT

Dr. Mohammad Sujauddin, an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Environmental Science and Management at North South University and an expert in Industrial

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.