CArbon capture
and storage
Short Course
SCIENtific ADVANCES TO HELP US ACHIEVE
NET ZERO ?
Fewer and fewer people these days are climate change ‘deniers’. Most of us accept what the science tells us – that human activity, especially the burning of fossil fuels, is a root cause of global warming. So the question has moved on from ‘is climate change happening’ to: ‘what are we going to do about it?’ Does the science of Carbon Capture and Storage offer part of the solution ?
THE CARBON CAPTURE
AND STORAGE COURSE
This course covers one part of the answer: we can use carbon capture and storage (CCS) methods to collect harmful CO2 and lock it away where it cannot gather in our atmosphere, trapping the sun’s heat. Or we can capture it and embed it into new materials and consumer goods. Or it can be used to power secondary technological processes.
Of course all this is easier said than done. There are significant technical challenges and cost implications for CCS on the scale needed. There are also social and political questions (like who should pay for it?). Some argue much more investment should go to developing renewable energy sources to eradicate industrial carbon emissions, not capture them once ‘the genie is out of the bottle’. However, in reality, if we are to get anywhere near the UK’s goal to be carbon neutral by 2050, CCS can be one of the tools to get us there. Certainly this is the belief of the UK Government which is investing large sums in development, as are many fossil fuel based companies.
This course looks at how carbon capture and storage works. It explains how we have arrived at the current situation and how nature’s own carbon management system has been pushed out of joint since the industrial revolution. It covers the different methods for capturing and separating out CO2, discusses how and where it should be stored as well as touching on imaginative ways scientists are developing to reuse CO2 emissions before storage. Towards the end of the course there are two case studies detailing multi million pound CCS schemes, one in Humberside, the other in Scotland.
The course ends with a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the CCS approach to help tackle our warming planet.
Modules:
- Course Introduction
- Blue Marble e-Learning Tools
- What is Carbon ?
- Carbon Dioxide and Climate Change
- Carbon Dioxide and Industrial Processes
- Carbon Offsetting and Carbon Budgets
- Knowledge Check
- Capture and Storage Basics
- Separation Techniques
- Carbon Capture and Industrial Processes
- Other Carbon Capture Processes
- Carbon Capture Utilisation
- Knowledge Check
- Transporting CO2
- CO2 Storage
- Leakage Risks and Monitoring
- Legislation and Protocols
- Knowledge Check
- The Viking Carbon Capture and Storage Project
- The Acorn Project
- Environmental Advantages
- Environmental Disadvantages
- Costs
- Knowledge Check
- Multiple Choice Assessment Quiz
- Project Assignment
Course Primer:
Carbon Capture and Storage
Weekly study
flexible
Duration
24 hours
Accreditation
Blue Marble
Cost
£65
Online
100% online
Support
course tutor
Level
Level 3
Group Size
flexible
The ARTICLE
Carbon Capture and Storage Primer
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a process that captures carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from industrial processes and power generation, and stores them underground or in other long-term storage facilities. This technology has the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change. In this article, we’ll explore how CCS works and its potential benefits.
What is Carbon Capture and Storage?
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a process that captures carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from industrial processes and power generation, and stores them underground or in other long-term storage facilities. This technology has the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change. In this article, we’ll explore how CCS works and its potential benefits.
How does Carbon Capture and Storage work?
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) works by capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from industrial processes and power generation, and storing them underground or in other long-term storage facilities. The process involves three main steps: capturing the CO2, transporting it to a storage site, and storing it in a secure and permanent location. The captured CO2 can be stored in geological formations such as depleted oil and gas reservoirs, saline aquifers, or deep coal seams. The stored CO2 is monitored to ensure it remains secure and does not leak back into the atmosphere. CCS has the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change.
The potential benefits of Carbon Capture and Storage
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) has the potential to offer a range of benefits in the fight against climate change. Firstly, it can help to reduce carbon emissions from industrial processes and power generation, which are major contributors to global warming. Secondly, it can help to extend the life of existing fossil fuel resources, which could be important for energy security in some regions. Finally, CCS can help to create new jobs and economic opportunities in the development and deployment of the technology. However, there are also challenges and limitations to CCS, including the high cost of implementation and the need for careful monitoring and regulation to ensure the safety and effectiveness of storage sites.
The challenges and limitations of Carbon Capture and Storage
While carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a promising technology in the fight against climate change, there are also challenges and limitations to its implementation. One major challenge is the high cost of building and operating CCS facilities, which can make it difficult for some industries to adopt the technology. Additionally, there are concerns about the safety and effectiveness of storage sites, as well as the potential for leakage or other environmental risks. Finally, CCS is not a silver bullet solution to climate change and must be combined with other strategies, such as renewable energy and energy efficiency, to achieve significant emissions reductions.
The future of Carbon Capture and Storage
The future of carbon capture and storage (CCS) is promising, as more and more countries and industries are recognizing the need to reduce carbon emissions and slow down climate change. While there are still challenges and limitations to its implementation, ongoing research and development are improving the technology and making it more cost-effective. Additionally, there are efforts to explore new and innovative uses for captured carbon, such as in the production of building materials or as a feedstock for biofuels. With continued investment and support, CCS could play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
RESOURCES
Carbon capture and Storage
learning support team
Meet your Blue Marble course authors and learning support team:
Jessica Pickard
Blue Marble e-Learning platform administrator, Onboarding Supervisor and Learning Mentor
Shikwambi Nduuvako
Graduate Chemist, Waste Water Scientist, Namibia University of Science and Technology
James Griffiths
Postgraduate in Environmental and Climate Change Science, Kent University
Zuniara Nawaz
Blue Marble e-Learning platform administrator, Onboarding Supervisor and Learning Mentor