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Thermal Power Plant Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS)

Detailed overview of innovation with sample startups and prominent university research


What it is

Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) encompasses a suite of technologies designed to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from sources like thermal power plants, preventing them from entering the atmosphere. The captured CO2 can then be either utilized for various applications or stored permanently underground in geological formations. CCUS plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change and decarbonizing industries that rely on fossil fuels.

Impact on climate action

Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) under Low-Carbon Thermal Power significantly mitigate climate change by capturing CO2 emissions from power plants and industrial processes. By storing or utilizing captured CO2, this innovation reduces greenhouse gas emissions, fostering a transition to a low-carbon energy future and combating climate change impacts.

Underlying
Technology

  • Capture: CO2 is captured from flue gas streams or directly from the air using various technologies, including:
    • Post-combustion capture: This method captures CO2 after the fuel has been burned, typically using chemical solvents or membranes to separate CO2 from other flue gas components.
    • Pre-combustion capture: This method captures CO2 before the fuel is burned, typically by converting the fuel into a mixture of hydrogen and CO2, and then separating the CO2.
    • Oxy-fuel combustion: This method burns fuel in pure oxygen, producing a flue gas stream that is primarily CO2 and water vapor, making CO2 capture easier.
    • Direct air capture (DAC): This technology captures CO2 directly from the atmosphere, offering a way to remove existing CO2 emissions.
  • Utilization: Captured CO2 can be utilized for various applications, including:
    • Enhanced oil recovery (EOR): CO2 is injected into oil reservoirs to increase oil production.
    • Production of chemicals and fuels: CO2 can be used as a feedstock for producing chemicals, such as methanol and polymers, and fuels, such as synthetic methane and jet fuel.
    • Building materials: CO2 can be used to create concrete and other building materials.
  • Storage: CO2 can be stored permanently underground in geological formations, such as depleted oil and gas reservoirs or saline aquifers.

TRL : 6-8 (depending on the specific technology)


Prominent Innovation themes

  • Advanced Capture Technologies: Researchers and startups are developing more efficient and cost-effective CO2 capture technologies, such as advanced solvents, membranes, and sorbents.
  • CO2 Utilization Technologies: Innovations in CO2 utilization are expanding the range of applications for captured CO2, creating new markets and economic opportunities.
  • CO2 Storage Monitoring and Verification: Technologies are being developed to monitor and verify the safe and permanent storage of CO2 underground.
  • Direct Air Capture (DAC) Technology: Advancements in DAC technology are making it more efficient and cost-effective to capture CO2 directly from the atmosphere.

Other Innovation Subthemes

  • Advanced Solvents and Membranes for CO2 Capture
  • Pre-Combustion CO2 Capture Technologies
  • Post-Combustion CO2 Capture Innovations
  • Oxy-Fuel Combustion for Efficient CO2 Capture
  • Next-Generation Sorbents for CO2 Capture
  • Optimizing CO2 Capture Processes with AI

Related Innovations

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Sample Global Startups and Companies

  1. Climeworks:
    • Technology Enhancement: Climeworks specializes in direct air capture (DAC) technology, which captures CO2 directly from the atmosphere. Their systems use specialized filters to chemically absorb CO2, which is then stored underground or utilized for various applications, such as renewable fuels, food and beverage industry, and greenhouse agriculture.
    • Uniqueness of the Startup: Climeworks is known for being one of the pioneers in direct air capture technology, offering scalable and modular solutions for capturing CO2 from ambient air. Their systems are designed to be energy-efficient and cost-effective, allowing for decentralized deployment in various locations worldwide.
    • End-User Segments Addressing: Climeworks serves a wide range of industries and applications that require carbon removal solutions, including renewable energy companies, carbon offset markets, and sustainable agriculture projects. Their technology can be integrated into existing infrastructure or used standalone to remove CO2 emissions from the atmosphere.
  2. Carbon Engineering:
    • Technology Enhancement: Carbon Engineering specializes in DAC technology for capturing CO2 from the atmosphere and converting it into valuable products or storing it underground. Their systems use a combination of chemical processes and advanced engineering to capture CO2 efficiently and cost-effectively.
    • Uniqueness of the Startup: Carbon Engineering is known for its focus on large-scale deployment of DAC technology and its vision of creating a carbon-neutral future. They offer end-to-end solutions for carbon capture, utilization, and storage, including CO2 conversion into synthetic fuels, chemicals, and building materials.
    • End-User Segments Addressing: Carbon Engineering serves industries and organizations seeking carbon removal solutions, including energy companies, industrial manufacturers, and governments. Their technology can be deployed at industrial sites, power plants, and remote locations to capture CO2 emissions and reduce the carbon footprint of various processes.
  3. Aker Carbon Capture:
    • Technology Enhancement: Aker Carbon Capture specializes in carbon capture technology for industrial emissions, such as those from power plants, cement factories, and refineries. Their systems capture CO2 from flue gases using solvent-based or membrane-based processes, which can then be stored underground or utilized for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and other industrial applications.
    • Uniqueness of the Startup: Aker Carbon Capture is known for its expertise in large-scale carbon capture projects and its focus on industrial emissions reduction. They offer tailored solutions for different industries, providing customized engineering and integration services to optimize carbon capture performance and cost-effectiveness.
    • End-User Segments Addressing: Aker Carbon Capture serves industrial sectors with significant CO2 emissions, including energy production, manufacturing, and petrochemicals. Their technology enables these industries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, comply with regulations, and transition to more sustainable production processes.

Sample Research At Top-Tier Universities

  1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT):
    • Research Focus: MIT is a pioneer in research on Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS), focusing on developing advanced technologies and strategies for capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from various industrial processes and power plants, as well as exploring opportunities for utilizing and safely storing captured CO2.
    • Uniqueness: Their research encompasses a wide range of CCUS approaches, including post-combustion capture, pre-combustion capture, and oxy-fuel combustion, as well as innovative utilization pathways such as CO2 conversion to valuable products like chemicals, fuels, and building materials. MIT also investigates geological storage options, enhanced oil recovery (EOR), and mineralization techniques for long-term CO2 sequestration.
    • End-use Applications: The outcomes of their work have applications in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from power generation, cement production, steelmaking, and other industrial sectors. By developing cost-effective and scalable CCUS technologies, MIT’s research supports climate change mitigation efforts, enhances energy security, and promotes sustainable economic development.
  2. Stanford University:
    • Research Focus: Stanford University conducts groundbreaking research on Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS), leveraging its expertise in materials science, chemical engineering, and environmental sustainability to develop innovative solutions for reducing CO2 emissions and addressing climate change.
    • Uniqueness: Their research spans fundamental studies on CO2 capture materials, catalysts, and processes, as well as applied research on integrating CCUS technologies with power plants, cement kilns, and industrial facilities. Stanford also explores novel CO2 utilization pathways, such as direct air capture, algae biofuel production, and mineral carbonation, to maximize the value of captured CO2 and promote circular carbon economy concepts.
    • End-use Applications: The outcomes of their work find applications in decarbonizing fossil fuel-based energy systems, achieving net-zero emissions targets, and creating new revenue streams from CO2 utilization. By advancing CCUS research and deployment, Stanford’s research contributes to achieving climate goals, preserving environmental quality, and fostering sustainable development worldwide.
  3. University of California, Berkeley:
    • Research Focus: UC Berkeley is engaged in innovative research on Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS), leveraging its multidisciplinary expertise in earth sciences, policy analysis, and energy economics to develop holistic solutions for addressing CO2 emissions and advancing climate resilience.
    • Uniqueness: Their research encompasses technology assessment, policy analysis, and stakeholder engagement to evaluate the technical, economic, and social feasibility of CCUS deployment in different regions and industries. UC Berkeley also investigates the environmental impacts, regulatory frameworks, and public acceptance of CCUS projects, as well as exploring synergies with renewable energy deployment and ecosystem restoration efforts.
    • End-use Applications: The outcomes of their work have applications in decarbonizing power generation, industrial processes, and transportation, as well as supporting climate adaptation and resilience initiatives. By integrating CCUS research with policy analysis and stakeholder engagement, UC Berkeley’s research informs evidence-based decision-making, facilitates public-private partnerships, and catalyzes the transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient future.

commercial_img Commercial Implementation

CCUS technologies are being implemented in various industries around the world, including power generation, cement production, and natural gas processing. For example, the Petra Nova project in Texas is a large-scale CCUS project that captures CO2 from a coal-fired power plant and uses it for enhanced oil recovery.



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