ccus
What is CCUS?
CCUS and Alberta’s Low-carbon Future – Part 1: Why CCUS?
Carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) is a significant technology and opportunity to help Canada net-zero emissions by 2050. Learn what carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) is and why it matters to Alberta and the world’s emissions reduction goals.
The CCUS Value Chain
Carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) is a multi-stage process with the potential to have a big impact on Canada’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction efforts. Learn about the CCUS value chain – from carbon capture, storage, utilization, transportation and industrial processes.
Source: Carbon Management Canada
The Carbon Life Cycle
Carbon is a natural, abundant and vital element on earth. It is connected to air, plants, animals, rivers, oceans and the earth itself. In its gaseous form, carbon is known as carbon dioxide (CO₂). Carbon interacts with the earth and its atmosphere in a cyclical manner.
Discover how carbon travels through
Earth’s systems below.
Capture from
Environment
Animals, plants, oceans and the Earth all absorb CO₂ from the air. The CO₂ then is stored in a variety of reservoirs, or carbon sinks. Forests, wetlands, rivers, oceans, soil and rocks are all examples of carbon sinks.
Use in Natural
Processes
Animals and marine organisms use CO₂ in digestive processes. Trees and plants use CO₂ for photosynthesis, which helps them grow and form new organic matter.
Store in Nature's Spaces
CO₂ is stored over long periods of time in soil, sediment and underground rock formations. Wetlands can also be effective carbon sinks, collecting CO₂ in organic matter like peat.
Release Back to Nature
CO₂ is released back into the atmosphere through natural functions and events like evaporation, respiration, decomposition, volcanic eruptions and forest fires.
Did you know?
CCUS is a tested, proven and innovative solution to GHG emissions reduction. As a complex industrial sector, CCUS requires established processes, advancing technologies and a variety of skilled and knowledgeable workers. The sector is made up of five different stages.
Explore the dynamic CCUS sector in more detail through this interactive infographic.
Measurement, Monitoring and Verification
Now that CO₂ has been captured and stored underground, how do we know it stays there safely?
Measurement, Monitoring, and Verification (MMV) play a crucial role in the CCUS process. Once CO₂ is injected into underground formations, it’s essential to monitor and verify that it stays securely stored.
Curious about how we make sure CO₂ remains safely underground? Check out our video to explore the key steps in MMV and see how we ensure the safe storage of CO₂ throughout the CCUS process.
Why CCUS?
We are setting goals to transition our energy system so that we are living in ways that will be sustainable for generations. The Government of Canada has set a goal for our emissions to be net-zero by 2050.
As a first step, Canada has a target to reduce emissions by 40-45% below 2005 levels by the year 2030. This means reducing emissions from all sectors and all activities by around 300 million tonnes of CO2 each year from where we are today!
How do we get there? One of the biggest opportunities to get emissions out of our atmosphere is to capture and sequester them—underground or in products—permanently.
Leading the Way
CCUS and Alberta’s Low-carbon Future – Part 2: Research and Technology in CO2 Storage
CCUS is a significant technology and opportunity to help Canada net-zero emissions by 2050. Learn what carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) is and why it matters to Alberta and the world’s emissions reduction goals.
Alberta is well-positioned to be a global leader, with world-leading experience, investment and a knowledgeable workforce to support a thriving CCUS sector.
Canada’s Top 10 Recognized Global Leaders in CCUS Alberta is making an important contribution to help Canada reach its net-zero emissions goals. According to Natural Resources Canada, four of the top ten recognized global leaders in CCUS are located in Alberta.
1. Carbon Engineering’s – Innovation Centre and AIR TO FUELS™ Pilot
2. Project CO2MENT by Svante, Lafarge, and Total
3. Carbon Management Canada Carbon Capture and Conversion Institute
4. British Columbia Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy
5. Trail Operations CCUS Pilot by Teck, under development
6. Svante Centre of Excellence for Carbon Capture and Removal
7. Natural Resource Canada’s CanmetENERGY – Devon Laboratory
8. Genesee Carbon Conversion Centre Capital Power
9. Alberta Carbon Conversion Technology Centre by Capital Power, ENMAX, and InnoTech Alberta
10. Newell County Field Research Station, Carbon Management Canada
CCUS Storage Hubs Across Alberta
Alberta is advancing CCUS projects, driving innovation and environmental sustainability.
The map below from the Government of Alberta shows the 24 active and proposed CCUS storage hubs and transportation pipelines in various stages of development across the province.
Source: Government of Alberta
CCUS and Alberta’s Low-carbon Future – Part 3: Commercial CO2 Storage Operations
Commercial CCUS projects are already established within Alberta and the sector is growing. The operations team at Enhance – a commercial CO2 storage and energy company – leverages decades of knowledge and the latest developments in carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology to operate its facility in Clive, Alberta. Learn how commercial operators are advancing this growing sector.
Investing in Innovation
Support to Advance CCUS Technology
CCUS is an established technology that has been used around the world for decades. Alberta CCUS projects continuously evolving to learn and develop more effective and efficient ways to manage carbon emissions.
Source: Government of Alberta
Industry and government invest in the technology and innovation ecosystem to provide essential support across Alberta, ensuring successful CCUS project deployment.
As of August, 2024, there were 24 proposed CCUS projects supported by investment from energy companies across Alberta. Examples include:
• Alberta Innovates and Emissions Reduction Alberta have invested over $200 million in more than 100 projects.
• Alberta Innovates has allocated $53 million, to support 43 CCUS-related projects and is providing about $24 million to the renowned Alberta Carbon Conversion Technology Centre (ACCTC) to research, validate and demonstrate carbon capture prototypes, CCUS technologies.
• The Alberta government is investing $1.24 billion for up to 15 years in the Quest and Alberta Carbon Trunk Line (ACTL) projects. The Quest project is capturing CO2 from oil sands upgrading and transporting it for permanent storage. ACTL is a 240 km pipeline that transports CO2 for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) operations in central Alberta. Quest and ACTL are the first two commercial CCUS projects operating in Alberta.
CCUS and Alberta’s Low-carbon Future – Part 4: Carbon Conversion and Utilization
The energy technology and innovation ecosystem encourages continuous development. Not only are companies are capturing and storing CO2, they are using and converting CO2 emissions into industrial and commercial products. Companies across Alberta are investing in bright ideas to advance CCUS technology.
Alberta’s Track Record
Alberta is Making Promising Strides in CCUS
Alberta’s Quest and ACTL projects have safely captured and stored a total of more than 11.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂) since 2015.
How much is 11.5 million tonnes of CO₂?
The CO₂ captured and stored by Quest and ACTL since 2015 is equivalent to powering over 500,000 homes for more than 11 years.
Work in CCUS
CCUS and Alberta’s Low-carbon Future – Part 5: Working in CCUS
A thriving industrial sector needs a skilled and knowledgeable workforce to support it. The evolving CCUS industry in Alberta is no different. There are a variety of roles projected to be in-demand in the evolving CCUS sector. The skills and knowledge Albertans have gained, working in the established energy sector, which includes oil and gas, have prepared workers to participate in the transition to cleantech. Change is in the air and Alberta’s future workforce will need workers with a variety of interests, skills, knowledge and experience to make the CCUS sector run.
Alberta’s CCUS sector is poised for significant growth, and we need innovative and dedicated professionals to drive its ongoing success.
This industry presents opportunities not only for experienced oil and gas workers, but also for individuals from a variety of backgrounds. Whether you have expertise in engineering, environmental science, technology, or other fields, there are diverse roles tailored to your specific skills and interests. Contribute to a sustainable future and explore how you can play a vital role in Alberta CCUS today.
Discover Your Place in CCUS
Testimonials from CCUS Professionals
Meet the changemakers driving innovation in Alberta’s Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage sector.
Imagine what is possible when we work together.
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