Q 7. What is Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS)? What is the potential role of CCUS in tackling climate change?
(UPSC 2025, 10 Marks, 150 Words)
Theme:
The Role of CCUS in Climate Change Mitigation
Where in Syllabus:
(The subject of the above question is Climate Change.)
कार्बन अवशोषण (कैप्चर), उपयोग तथा भंडारण (सी सी यू एस) से क्या आशय है ? जलवायु परिवर्तन से निपटने में सी सी यू एस की संभावित भूमिका क्या है?
Q 7. What is Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS)? What is the potential role of CCUS in tackling climate change?
(UPSC 2025, 10 Marks, 150 Words)
Theme:
The Role of CCUS in Climate Change Mitigation
Where in Syllabus:
(The subject of the above question is Climate Change.)
कार्बन अवशोषण (कैप्चर), उपयोग तथा भंडारण (सी सी यू एस) से क्या आशय है ? जलवायु परिवर्तन से निपटने में सी सी यू एस की संभावित भूमिका क्या है?
Introduction
Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) is a technology aimed at reducing carbon emissions by capturing CO2 from industrial sources and either reusing or storing it underground. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), CCUS could mitigate up to 19% of global CO2 emissions by 2050. Bill Gates emphasizes its role in achieving net-zero emissions, highlighting its potential to decarbonize industries like cement and steel, thus playing a crucial role in combating climate change.
The Role of CCUS in Climate Change Mitigation
● Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS):
● Definition: CCUS refers to a suite of technologies aimed at capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from sources like power plants and industrial processes, and either reusing it or storing it so it will not enter the atmosphere.
● Components:
● Capture: Involves capturing CO2 at its emission source.
● Utilization: Refers to the process of using captured CO2 in various applications, such as in the production of chemicals, fuels, or building materials.
● Storage: Involves injecting CO2 into underground geological formations for long-term storage.
● Role in Tackling Climate Change:
● Reduction of Emissions: CCUS can significantly reduce CO2 emissions from industrial sectors and power generation, which are major contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions.
● Support for Renewable Energy: By providing a way to manage emissions from fossil fuel-based energy, CCUS can complement the transition to renewable energy sources.
● Negative Emissions: When combined with bioenergy (BECCS), CCUS can result in negative emissions, effectively removing CO2 from the atmosphere.
● Industrial Applications: Essential for decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors like cement, steel, and chemicals, where alternative low-carbon technologies are not yet viable.
● Examples and Data:
● Norway's Sleipner Project: Operational since 1996, it stores about 1 million tonnes of CO2 annually in a saline aquifer beneath the North Sea.
● Petra Nova Project in the USA: Captured over 1.6 million tonnes of CO2 per year from a coal-fired power plant before it was suspended in 2020.
● Global Potential: According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), CCUS could contribute to 19% of the required emissions reductions by 2050 to meet global climate goals.
● Challenges and Considerations:
● Cost: High initial costs and economic viability remain significant barriers to widespread CCUS deployment.
● Infrastructure: Requires substantial investment in infrastructure for transportation and storage of CO2.
● Regulatory Frameworks: Need for robust legal and regulatory frameworks to ensure safe and effective storage of CO2.
● Policy and Investment:
● Government Support: Policies and incentives are crucial to drive investment in CCUS technologies.
● Public-Private Partnerships: Collaboration between governments and private sectors can accelerate the development and deployment of CCUS projects.
● Definition: CCUS refers to a suite of technologies aimed at capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from sources like power plants and industrial processes, and either reusing it or storing it so it will not enter the atmosphere.
● Components:
● Capture: Involves capturing CO2 at its emission source.
● Utilization: Refers to the process of using captured CO2 in various applications, such as in the production of chemicals, fuels, or building materials.
● Storage: Involves injecting CO2 into underground geological formations for long-term storage.
● Role in Tackling Climate Change:
● Reduction of Emissions: CCUS can significantly reduce CO2 emissions from industrial sectors and power generation, which are major contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions.
● Support for Renewable Energy: By providing a way to manage emissions from fossil fuel-based energy, CCUS can complement the transition to renewable energy sources.
● Negative Emissions: When combined with bioenergy (BECCS), CCUS can result in negative emissions, effectively removing CO2 from the atmosphere.
● Industrial Applications: Essential for decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors like cement, steel, and chemicals, where alternative low-carbon technologies are not yet viable.
● Examples and Data:
● Norway's Sleipner Project: Operational since 1996, it stores about 1 million tonnes of CO2 annually in a saline aquifer beneath the North Sea.
● Petra Nova Project in the USA: Captured over 1.6 million tonnes of CO2 per year from a coal-fired power plant before it was suspended in 2020.
● Global Potential: According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), CCUS could contribute to 19% of the required emissions reductions by 2050 to meet global climate goals.
● Challenges and Considerations:
● Cost: High initial costs and economic viability remain significant barriers to widespread CCUS deployment.
● Infrastructure: Requires substantial investment in infrastructure for transportation and storage of CO2.
● Regulatory Frameworks: Need for robust legal and regulatory frameworks to ensure safe and effective storage of CO2.
● Policy and Investment:
● Government Support: Policies and incentives are crucial to drive investment in CCUS technologies.
● Public-Private Partnerships: Collaboration between governments and private sectors can accelerate the development and deployment of CCUS projects.
Conclusion
Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) is a technology aimed at reducing CO2 emissions by capturing, storing, or repurposing carbon. It plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change by potentially reducing global emissions by up to 14% by 2050, according to the International Energy Agency. Bill Gates emphasizes its importance, stating, "Innovation in CCUS is vital for a sustainable future." Moving forward, increased investment and policy support are essential to scale up CCUS deployment effectively.