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Carbon capture systems vs trees. Which are better ?
In this feature article from Become Carbon Negative we will be discussing and analysing the use of Carbon Capture Usage and Storage (CCUS) systems and comparing their effectiveness with the planting of trees in cleaning the atmosphere.
The UK government has mandated that all new build factories are installed with CCUS since 2018. These Carbon Collection Usage and Storage systems are designed to separate the CO2 from the gases flowing through the chimney of the factory, where it is then transitioned through pipes to either a ship for added transportation to a storage facility deep under the sea, or the gas is pumped straight to a deep sea geological formations where the CO2 is then permanently stored.
However, the path of the CO2 can take several paths once captured. The CO2 can be sent on the usage route whereby it can be converted to form carbon neutral fuels, be used in chemical synthesis, be used for carbon mineralisation, Algae cultivation or any number of applications. The CO2 extracted from CCUS systems can be also be used in advanced gas networks allowing us to ween ourselves off fossil fuels,
A case in point concerning the usage of CCUS systems that we shall examine is the Tata Steel steelworks in Port Talbot, Wales. This case study shows us the efforts being made by the UK government’s “Clean Growth” strategy, put in place by Prime Minister Theresa May in 2019. As this case study is more a sales pitch demonstrating what the government plans to do we need to turn our attention to the minutes taken at the governmental CCUS Cost Challenge Taskforce 15 March 2018, where it was discussed whether or not to wait until the market became more bullish in order to demonstrate real need. If we return to the “clean growth” case study we can see that the market had indeed seen a benefit and requirement for the usage of CCUS from the actions of Tartar Steel. After studying the governmental minutes and after studying the case study we understand that the government is moving forward with the “clean growth” strategy. However, the strategy from the government and from the case study states that the envisaged start date for the use of CCUS systems will be 2030.
We must also analyse the report from the International Environment Agency (IEA) titled CCUS in clean energy transitions to hear another viewpoint. The report correctly suggests that CCUS will be an important pillar in our battle to avoid total climate destruction. It was stated earlier in this article that the UK ambitions towards CCUS would be limited by Financial concerns however, the report from the IEA, reassuringly, assures us that existing CCUS investment has not been derailed by the economic crisis posed by COVID-19 and states that the existing $4 billion still stands, regarding government and industry investment.
“Reaching net zero will be virtually impossible without CCUS” is a subheading on the report and goes on to say that heavy industries account for almost 20% of global CO2 emissions but here at the Become Carbon Negative we all consider net zero to be a good start but that we must still advocate the planting of trees to help rebuild the cleanliness of our atmosphere and to add O2 to the already dwindling atmospheric ratio of gases. Because as trees are cut down the levels of O2 will decrease and the levels of CO2, SO2 and CO will increase making it increasingly difficult for the human race to survive.
So, the existence of this type of environmental system raises the question of what is the problem with deforestation if factories are using CCUS systems? In order to answer this side question we refer you back to the other articles written by Become Carbon Negative, If you follow the link here, we can see that trees provide countless benefits and advantages to societies, cities, wildlife and the environment. Even without reading the other feature articles we have all known, since elementary school, that trees use CO2 and sunlight as fuel and release O2, which is an integral part of the air we breathe.
Predicted reduction in the levels of CO2 through use of CCUS had been a question that this article has answered we must reiterate that the use of CCUS will not be a cure for the climate dilemma the environment is facing but would be in fact part of the answer because if CCUS systems can reduce the negative output of factories as well as cleaning the immediate atmosphere we should be in a good position to enjoy fresh air.
As we have learnt through studying the proposed actions of the UK government and international industry that factories across the UK, Europe, the USA and Asia will be either fitting CCUS systems or retrofit in their existing factories and power plants as the carbon capture systems are easily added.
However, according to government reports and committee minutes CCUS are not specifically planned to be put into operation until 2030 and what is even more depressing is that complete usage is not planned until 2070 according to the minutes from the governments minutes on CCUS, follow the link here to view the summary.
The UK government has mandated that all new build factories are installed with CCUS since 2018. These Carbon Collection Usage and Storage systems are designed to separate the CO2 from the gases flowing through the chimney of the factory, where it is then transitioned through pipes to either a ship for added transportation to a storage facility deep under the sea, or the gas is pumped straight to a deep sea geological formations where the CO2 is then permanently stored.
However, the path of the CO2 can take several paths once captured. The CO2 can be sent on the usage route whereby it can be converted to form carbon neutral fuels, be used in chemical synthesis, be used for carbon mineralisation, Algae cultivation or any number of applications. The CO2 extracted from CCUS systems can be also be used in advanced gas networks allowing us to ween ourselves off fossil fuels,
A case in point concerning the usage of CCUS systems that we shall examine is the Tata Steel steelworks in Port Talbot, Wales. This case study shows us the efforts being made by the UK government’s “Clean Growth” strategy, put in place by Prime Minister Theresa May in 2019. As this case study is more a sales pitch demonstrating what the government plans to do we need to turn our attention to the minutes taken at the governmental CCUS Cost Challenge Taskforce 15 March 2018, where it was discussed whether or not to wait until the market became more bullish in order to demonstrate real need. If we return to the “clean growth” case study we can see that the market had indeed seen a benefit and requirement for the usage of CCUS from the actions of Tartar Steel. After studying the governmental minutes and after studying the case study we understand that the government is moving forward with the “clean growth” strategy. However, the strategy from the government and from the case study states that the envisaged start date for the use of CCUS systems will be 2030.
We must also analyse the report from the International Environment Agency (IEA) titled CCUS in clean energy transitions to hear another viewpoint. The report correctly suggests that CCUS will be an important pillar in our battle to avoid total climate destruction. It was stated earlier in this article that the UK ambitions towards CCUS would be limited by Financial concerns however, the report from the IEA, reassuringly, assures us that existing CCUS investment has not been derailed by the economic crisis posed by COVID-19 and states that the existing $4 billion still stands, regarding government and industry investment.
“Reaching net zero will be virtually impossible without CCUS” is a subheading on the report and goes on to say that heavy industries account for almost 20% of global CO2 emissions but here at the Become Carbon Negative we all consider net zero to be a good start but that we must still advocate the planting of trees to help rebuild the cleanliness of our atmosphere and to add O2 to the already dwindling atmospheric ratio of gases. Because as trees are cut down the levels of O2 will decrease and the levels of CO2, SO2 and CO will increase making it increasingly difficult for the human race to survive.
So, the existence of this type of environmental system raises the question of what is the problem with deforestation if factories are using CCUS systems? In order to answer this side question we refer you back to the other articles written by Become Carbon Negative, If you follow the link here, we can see that trees provide countless benefits and advantages to societies, cities, wildlife and the environment. Even without reading the other feature articles we have all known, since elementary school, that trees use CO2 and sunlight as fuel and release O2, which is an integral part of the air we breathe.
Predicted reduction in the levels of CO2 through use of CCUS had been a question that this article has answered we must reiterate that the use of CCUS will not be a cure for the climate dilemma the environment is facing but would be in fact part of the answer because if CCUS systems can reduce the negative output of factories as well as cleaning the immediate atmosphere we should be in a good position to enjoy fresh air.
As we have learnt through studying the proposed actions of the UK government and international industry that factories across the UK, Europe, the USA and Asia will be either fitting CCUS systems or retrofit in their existing factories and power plants as the carbon capture systems are easily added.
However, according to government reports and committee minutes CCUS are not specifically planned to be put into operation until 2030 and what is even more depressing is that complete usage is not planned until 2070 according to the minutes from the governments minutes on CCUS, follow the link here to view the summary.
So, in parting we remind you to share the knowledge that whilst CCUS will help the environment, we must continue planting trees as there is no doubt about that efficiency in terms of helping the environment.
