UPDATED 1 Sept: The EI library in London is temporarily closed to the public, as a precautionary measure in light of the ongoing COVID-19 situation. The Knowledge Service will still be answering email queries via email , or via live chats during working hours (09:15-17:00 GMT). Our e-library is always open for members here: eLibrary , for full-text access to over 200 e-books and millions of articles. Thank you for your patience.
New Energy World™
New Energy World™ embraces the whole energy industry as it connects and converges to address the decarbonisation challenge. It covers progress being made across the industry, from the dynamics under way to reduce emissions in oil and gas, through improvements to the efficiency of energy conversion and use, to cutting-edge initiatives in renewable and low-carbon technologies.
CCUS: a silver bullet for a clean energy future?
4/10/2023
8 min read
Feature
Some claim carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) is a promising bridge between fossil fuel dependence and a clean energy future, particularly in hard-to-abate industrial sectors. Nevertheless, Sara Siddeeq contends there are still numerous economic, technological, political and social issues to address.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of global energy, solutions that promise a bridge between fossil fuel dependency and a cleaner energy future are not just welcome but ardently pursued. CCUS is one such contender.
Billed as a groundbreaking technology, it offers the allure of capturing emissions at source – allowing for the continued use of carbon-intensive processes while potentially offsetting the environmental cost. However, the narrative surrounding CCUS is far from monolithic or definitive. Some view it as a pivotal tool in the fight against climate change – a potential ‘silver bullet’. Ohers caution against viewing it as a panacea, highlighting potential risks that could render it a double-edged sword.
The promise
In the mosaic of solutions proposed to curb the surge of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, CCUS is a formidable contender. By capturing CO2 before it gets a chance to permeate the atmosphere, we can potentially make massive strides in reducing global emissions. The International Energy Agency (IEA) suggests that by 2050, CCUS could potentially curb up to 19% of global CO₂ emissions. Such reductions are pivotal if we are to stand a chance in the race to prevent global temperatures from rising above the 1.5°C mark.