why ccus

Tomorrow’s Technology Today

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.

 

How does carbon capture, utilization and storage work?

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. CCUS is an imperative technology for the world’s net -zero goals and Alberta has what it takes to be a global leader in this growing sector because of its unique geological landscape, existing energy infrastructure and skilled energy workers.

What is CCUS?

 

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.

  1. Industrial processes
  2. Capture
  3. Transport
  4. Utilization
  5. Storage

Explore the dynamic CCUS sector in more detail through this interactive infographic.

Explore now

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) is a critical function in the CCUS process. After CO2 is injected into an underground formation, multiple steps are taken to ensure that it is monitored and stays there safely.

 

CO2

Jaeson Cardiff, CleanO2

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a naturally occurring molecule comprised of carbon and oxygen atoms, emitted through natural processes as well as through human/industrial activities such as upgrading bitumen, refining, fertilizer manufacturing, cement production, electricity generation, petrochemical operations and numerous combustion processes.

Capture

Brent Henkel, Svante + Blake Adair, Nutrien

CO2 capture is the process of separating, purifying and compressing CO2 to make sure that industrial emissions aren’t entering the atmosphere. There are many different types of CO2 capture technologies that can be applied to many different industries such as heat and power generation, hydrogen production, steel, cement or chemicals. In order to reach transportation or utilization quality, the CO2 may undergo some further processing to make sure it meets specifications.

Capture

Brent Henkel, Svante + Blake Adair, Nutrien

CO2 capture is the process of separating, purifying and compressing CO2 to make sure that industrial emissions aren’t entering the atmosphere. There are many different types of CO2 capture technologies that can be applied to many different industries such as heat and power generation, hydrogen production, steel, cement or chemicals. In order to reach transportation or utilization quality, the CO2 may undergo some further processing to make sure it meets specifications.

Utilization

Cailee Ellis, Lafarge + Lukas Deeg, Capital Power

CO2 can be utilized in many different processes. CO2 can be converted directly into products like fuels, chemicals, industrial materials, or consumer goods. It can also be indirectly utilized in processes like enhanced oil recovery, where CO2 can help to mobilize remaining light oil from aged oil fields and afterwards be permanently sequestered in the depleted reservoir. Some new technologies, like mineralization or electrolysis, are at an early stage of commercialization and are being tested right now.

Sequestration

Candice Paton, Enhance Energy

Storing CO2 underground requires reservoirs with geological characteristics that ensure emissions will be safely and permanently stored deep within the formation. Whether CO2 is injected into saline aquifers or depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs, sequestration projects ensure that all CO2 injected stays in the reservoir and is accounted for through their MMV plans (measurement, monitoring and verification). Lucky for Canada, our vast sedimentary basins make this country one of the best places in the world to sequester a lot of CO2 safely and permanently.

Sequestration

Candice Paton, Enhance Energy

Storing CO2 underground requires reservoirs with geological characteristics that ensure emissions will be safely and permanently stored deep within the formation. Whether CO2 is injected into saline aquifers or depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs, sequestration projects ensure that all CO2 injected stays in the reservoir and is accounted for through their MMV plans (measurement, monitoring and verification). Lucky for Canada, our vast sedimentary basins make this country one of the best places in the world to sequester a lot of CO2 safely and permanently.

Permanence

Marie Macquet, Carbon Management Canada

Measurement, monitoring and verification (MMV) are some of the most important activities in the carbon value chain to confirm that CO2 sequestered in underground reservoirs is stored permanently. By monitoring the air, soil, water and the underground storage formations – such as saline aquifers and depleted oil and gas reservoirs – we gather scientific evidence that the CO2 that we inject is stored securely in the injection zone. Carbon isotope testing can identify if molecules of CO2 observed in different layers in the subsurface are from anthropogenic sources (the captured CO2 ) or naturally occurring CO2 unrelated to the sequestration project.

Imagine what is possible when we work together.

get involved

1-403-984-0202

connect@albertacarbonhub.com

         

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