Researchers publish US CCS ladder for industrial decarbonisation

Nov 05 2024


Researchers from the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the University of Pennsylvania have created a ‘ladder’ to help prioritise sectors where CCS is most effective.

The use of CCS in the energy transition is often debated, but it can play a crucial role in decarbonising specific industrial sectors. 

The new CCS ladder for the United States considers factors like feasibility, CO2 mitigation potential, and the availability of alternative decarbonisation technologies.

CCS is particularly useful for industrial processes that generate CO2 as a byproduct, such as mineral, metal, and petroleum-based industries. 

While fuel switching or electrification can reduce combustion emissions, process emissions are more challenging to eliminate. CCS offers a solution by capturing and storing these emissions, while other technologies like hydrogen or biomass-based fuels are still in development.

The CCS ladder evaluates the suitability of CCS in various sectors, considering factors like the availability of geologic storage sites and the potential for other decarbonization methods like electrification or fuel switching. It also takes into account the impact of broader decarbonization efforts on the viability of CCS.

By prioritizing CCS deployment in sectors where it has the greatest impact, policymakers can support the development of this technology and contribute to the overall goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the United States.

Key Takeaways from the paper

  • Mineral-Based Industries: CCS is well-suited for industries like cement, lime, glass, and soda ash production, which have significant and concentrated process emissions. It offers a long-term solution for decarbonizing these sectors.
  • Hydrogen Production: Coupling CCS with hydrogen production at refineries can reduce carbon-intensive fuel gas emissions. This approach can serve as a bridge to a future where refineries utilize clean hydrogen for both heat and chemical feedstock production.
  • Petrochemical Industries: CCS can be a transitional solution for petrochemical industries. As alternative technologies like advanced catalytic processes mature, they may reduce the need for CCS. However, some processes, such as those using synthesis gas from sustainable feedstocks, will still require CCS to achieve full decarbonization.
  • Ammonia Production: CCS can be applied to ammonia facilities using fossil-based methane or natural gas. In the long term, this could transition to using renewable methane as a feedstock, reducing emissions associated with agriculture. This approach would likely complement those using green hydrogen.
  • Iron and Steel Production: CCS is a temporary solution for the iron and steel industry. As technologies like direct reduction ironmaking and electric arc furnaces become more prevalent, they can reduce the reliance on carbon-intensive processes.

 

Prioritization of industries for CCS adoption, “A” being the top priority and “F” the industries for which alternative decarbonization strategies may be more competitive. The ranking shown applies to today, and the evolution of that ranking is depicted by the arrows on the left-hand side of each industry box. In addition, alternative solutions for decarbonization or solutions that can be combined with CCS for increased decarbonization are shown on the top right corner of each industry box.

Kleinman Center for Energy Policy


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Issue 101 - Sept - Oct 2024

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