Nico Schmaeling, Senior Director Auxiliary Product Portfolio and New Energy at John Crane, discusses the role of Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) in the pursuit of Net Zero
Recently, the UK has taken notable steps in its commitment to achieving Net Zero emissions by finalising two significant carbon capture agreements. These initiatives, including the Northern Endurance Partnership and Net Zero Teesside Power, are expected to create numerous skilled jobs and secure substantial investments, marking a pivotal moment in the UK’s environmental strategy.
Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) is becoming a critical technology in achieving Net Zero emissions globally. At its core, CCUS captures carbon dioxide CO2 emissions from major sources like power plants and industrial facilities, then either stores them underground or repurposes them for industrial applications. This dual approach helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and creates economic opportunities by utilising captured carbon in various industries. When focusing solely on Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), the CO2 is stored underground without repurposing.
CCUS has been around for over 30 years but is now gaining significant commercial traction and political support. The global Energy Transition, a transformative shift from fossil fuels to low-carbon energy systems, drives this surge in interest.
As the world moves towards cleaner energy, balancing the rising demand for energy with the urgent need to reduce CO2 emissions is crucial. CCUS plays a vital role in this transition, particularly in decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors such as steel and cement production, chemical manufacturing, and heavy transport.
The three-step process of CCS
CCS works through a three-step process: capture, transport, and storage.
- Capture:
- CO2 is captured from industrial processes before or after combustion. Pre-combustion capture removes CO2 before combustion during hydrocarbon processing, while post-combustion capture removes CO2 from exhaust gases after fossil fuels are burned. This step is crucial for sectors like hydrogen production, steel, and cement manufacturing, where direct emissions reductions are challenging.
- Transport:
- Once captured, the CO2 is transported to storage sites, typically via pipelines. When compressed to a supercritical state, CO2 has the density of a liquid but the viscosity of a gas, making it ideal for pipeline transport. Pipelines are the most common method, with around 50 CO2 pipelines spanning over 6,500 km in the U.S. alone, transporting roughly 68 million tonnes annually.
- Storage:
- The final step is storage, where CO2 is injected into underground rock formations, staying securely locked away. CCUS teams monitor pressure, water contamination, and seismic activity to prevent leaks. Norway’s Sleipner facility has been safely storing 0.9 million tonnes of CO2 annually since 1996, demonstrating the long-term feasibility of this approach.
Innovative uses for captured carbon
Expanding the focus from Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) to CCUS introduces the “utilisation” element, which involves finding ways to monetise captured carbon. For example, CO2 can be used in construction to produce concrete, in chemical production as a feedstock for synthetic fuels, and in the food and beverage industry for carbonation and preservation. New startups are exploring innovative uses for captured carbon, such as
CleanO2, producing biodegradable hand soap and polyurethane-based products.
Balancing industrial production with emissions reductions
CCUS plays a crucial role in balancing industrial production with emissions reductions. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), CCUS has the potential to reduce energy-related emissions by 13%. This technology can create new revenue streams across industries, proving that sustainability and economic growth can go hand in hand.
Regulatory frameworks like EU directives and global best practices are essential in supporting the growth of CCUS.
For instance, the EU’s 2024 Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA) requires oil and gas companies to store at least 50 million tonnes of CO2 annually by 2030.
Overcoming challenges and scaling adoption
Despite the progress, there are still challenges to widespread adoption. High costs, infrastructure development, and public perception are significant barriers. Critics argue that CCUS may prolong the use of fossil fuels instead of accelerating the transition to renewables. Additionally, concerns about the safety of CO2 storage persist, despite decades of successful projects.
Investment and policy support are crucial for the growth of CCUS. The sector is still in its early stages, and significant upfront capital is required for commercial projects. Markets like the UK are stepping up with ambitious funding packages and regulatory frameworks to support CCUS. The UK’s independent Climate Change Committee has concluded that CCUS is essential for achieving Net Zero, and the government has committed substantial funding to support the technology.
To scale CCUS, development in areas such as tax credits, direct subsidies, and price support mechanisms is needed. Growing demand for lower-carbon products, the potential to use CO2 as a valuable feedstock, and the rise of voluntary carbon markets will also drive adoption. Collaboration between public and private entities is essential, as demonstrated by projects like The Acorn Project in Northeast Scotland.
The industrial sector is one of the biggest carbon emitters, and CCUS is the only scalable solution available today to cut those emissions. While the outlook for CCUS is positive, the next few years will be crucial in determining whether the technology can finally become viable on a large scale.
