The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is moving forward it’s aim to combat climate change by announcing a $6 million investment to explore the transportation of carbon dioxide (CO₂)
This will include industrial and power generation facilities to secure offshore storage sites in Texas.
This investment hopes to push the development of the infrastructure necessary for large-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS), which is an important part of the nation’s strategy to achieve net zero emissions.
The funding will support a front-end engineering and design (FEED) study that evaluates the reliability of a modular, open-hub transportation network connecting multiple CO₂ sources to offshore storage sites in the Gulf of Mexico.
The targeted sites are in Texas state waters near the Port of Corpus Christi, an area with the potential for large-scale CO₂ storage in geologic formations beneath the ocean floor.
The importance of carbon transport and storage
To meet climate goals, the U.S needs to capture and permanently store between 400 million to 1.8 billion metric tons of CO₂ each year by 2050.
This is a difficult target as the current emissions from industrial processes and power plants exceed this amount.
CO₂ capture technologies are advancing, but it will be difficult to move captured CO₂ from its sources to storage sites without a reliable, large-scale transport network.
CO₂ transport involves moving the gas, typically captured at large industrial plants or power stations, to secure geologic storage sites where it can be stored deep underground for thousands of years.
It can also be transported to locations where it’s used to create valuable products, such as fuels, chemicals, or building materials.
Expanding this network will be essential for meeting climate targets, driving economic growth, and ensuring energy security. The DOE’s investment will help to accelerate the design of transport systems that can support these activities commercially.
Modular, open-hub system
The project chosen for this $6 million investment will focus on designing a modular, open-hub transport network that can link multiple CO₂ emitters, such as industrial facilities and power plants, to nearby storage sites.
This approach will build on earlier studies of offshore storage sites, especially the Mustang Island and Port Aransas North tracts in Texas state waters.
The modular nature of the design means the transport system can be scaled up or modified as the demand for CO₂ storage grows over time.
This flexibility will be important as industries increase their efforts to capture and reduce emissions. By focusing on the Port of Corpus Christi, which is already a major hub for energy and industrial activities, the project is well set to support the rapid expansion of CCS infrastructure in the region.
Regional CO₂ transport networks
The DOE also announced up to $48 million in additional funding for the fourth round of the Carbon Dioxide Transport, Front-End Engineering and Design funding opportunity.
This initiative will support the development of regional CO₂ transport networks that connect CO₂ sources to centralised storage or conversion facilities across the U.S. These regional networks will be key to providing efficient, scalable CO₂ transport while addressing local needs.
The DOI hopes to support a variety of transportation methods, including pipelines, rail, trucks, barges, and ships, through this funding.
Community engagement also needs to be a part of the process, allowing local stakeholders to consider potential routes and safety measures. The goal is to create an efficient and socially responsible system, meeting the needs of communities while minimising environmental impact.
Building a clean energy economy
These efforts made by the DOE are part of a larger plan to reduce emissions from fossil energy production and key industrial processes.
Since January 2021, the DOE has invested over $1.4 billion to advance CO₂ transport and storage technologies, including $17 million through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This funding will drive innovation, create high-wage jobs, and enhance U.S. energy security as the country transitions to a clean energy economy.
This investment in CO₂ transport infrastructure is key for achieving the nation’s climate goals and ensuring carbon management is central to the energy transition.
