Physical infrastructure: CO2 capture and storage networks

Current status of implementation and existing gaps

CO₂ capture from biomass is a relatively cheaper carbon source due to the high purity of CO₂ steam. This biogenic carbon is useful for producing e-fuels for shipping. Barriers to their implementation include competition for biogenic carbon from other uses. CO₂ capture and transport logistics will likely play a large role in the development of e-fuel production facilities.

Examples and initiatives

Around 2 MtCO₂ is captured annually from biogenic sources (IEA, 2024c).

Current status of implementation and existing gaps

CO₂ capture from biomass is a relatively cheap carbon source due to the high purity of CO₂ steam. This biogenic carbon is useful for producing e-fuels. Barriers to its implementation include competition for biogenic carbon from other sources. CO₂ capture and transport logistics will likely play a large role in the development of e-SAF production facilities. Around 2Mt CO₂ is captured annually from biogenic sources (IEA, 2024c). However, CO₂ capture needs to scale up significantly to cover the demand for e-fuels and other competing demands for biogenic carbon.

Current status of implementation and existing gaps

CO₂ capture, utilisation and storage measures can be retrofitted to existing traditional fossil fuel-based steel production. However, progress has been limited for decades. As of 2024, six commercial-scale CO₂ capture, utilisation, and storage projects for iron and steelmaking are under development (Global CCS Institute, 2024a).

Examples and initiatives

The only operational plant where CO₂ capture and storage is used solely with the DRI process for enhanced oil recovery is the Al Reyadah project by Emirates Steel in the United Arab Emirates. In 2023, around 26.6% of the gas-based steel plant’s emissions were captured (IEEFA, 2024).

Current status of implementation and existing gaps

The suitability of a CO₂ transport mode depends mainly on costs, which are dependent on flow rates and distances and on social and environmental considerations. A cost-effective solution to developing large-scale infrastructure to support the scaled-up deployment of carbon capture may entail a combination of pipelines and ships, as well as the development of CO₂ , networks and hubs (Lyons et al., 2021).

Examples and initiatives

The Porthos CO₂ transport and storage project has received a final investment decision and is expected to be operational by 2026. Under the project, CO₂ captured from industries will be transported and stored in empty gas fields in the North Sea (Porthos, 2024).

Current status of implementation and existing gaps

CO₂ capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) for high capture rate technologies with pre-commercial demonstrations are at various development stages. The cement industry is increasing investments in CCUS with a goal of capturing up to 14 MtCO₂ by 2030 (Cembureau, 2024)

Over 30 commercial-scale projects are in development, in China, Europe and North America. The GCCA roadmap set a milestone of 10 industrial-scale plants with CCUS by 2030; however, large-scale financing with initial capital investments including very high operational costs remains a barrier (GCCA, 2024).

Examples and initiatives

The Brevik CCS Project in Norway, the first full-scale cement CCUS plant, is expected to capture 400 000 tonnes of CO₂ per year (Global CCS Institute, 2022).

Heidelberg Materials is developing North America’s first large-scale CCUS facility in Edmonton, Alberta, in Canada. It is expected to capture 1 MtCO₂ per year (GCCA, 2024)

CNBM Qingzhou in China is the world’s largest cement CCUS project, expected to capture about 200 000 tonnes of CO₂ per year (GCCA, 2024).