The three roles of CCUS in achieving carbon neutrality

The three roles that CCUS plays in achieving carbon neutrality are (1) effective utilization of existing infrastructure to support energy transition, (2) carbon recycling, and (3) negative emissions. In other words, a smooth energy transition will be realized with thermal power plants equipped with a carbon capturing and storage (CCS) system until power generation portfolio shifts to renewable energy and hydrogen. Hydrocarbon chemicals and fuels can be replaced by carbon recycled products. Greenhouse emissions which are technically difficult to be reduced can be offset by negative emissions. CCUS is thereby essential to realize carbon neutrality.

Role 1: Energy transition using existing infrastructure

In order to achieve carbon neutrality, entire energy infrastructure from power-generation to demand side facilities needs to be transformed, which requires significant investment. Thus energy transitions need to be gradually achieved by utilizing existing infrastructure, such as thermal power plants with CCS or blending carbon-neutral methane in city gas pipelines. CCUS allows us to draw strategies to achieve zero emissions, while utilizing existing fossil fuel infrastructure effectively.

Role 2: Effective utilization of CO2 through carbon recycling

Products such as jet fuel and city gas are generally considered to be difficult to be entirely electrified. Carbon-recycled products synthesized from CO2 and hydrogen can replace jet fuels, city gas, petrochemicals and other essential industrial products contains carbon thus resulting carbon neutrality.

Role 3: Negative emissions

Greenhouse gases, such as methane emitted from livestock and soil, are generally considered to have few practical means of reduction. Therefore, negative emission technologies such as bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) and direct air carbon capture and storage (DACCS), which capture CO2 in the atmosphere and store it underground, help to achieve carbon neutrality by offsetting the greenhouse gases that are inevitably emitted.

CCUS demonstration projects around the world

As discussed so far, CCUS is indispensable for the realization of carbon neutrality. But there are many issues that need to be resolved for its commercial implementation.

Above all, it is necessary to establish a framework for recognizing the environmental value of carbon-recycled products. Location of CO2 emitters and potential consumers are not necessarily located next to each other, and the amount of CO2 to be emitted and consumed also changes over time, and thus significant investment on CO2 transportation will be required. This means that it also requires the development of a financial mechanism for recovering the investment as per transaction rules. In other words, for commercialization of CCUS, it is essential to drastically change regulations and incentives and to coordinate interests across industries.

To overcome these challenges, CCUS demonstration projects are being conducted around the world. Deloitte is actively supporting many of them, including the Porthos project in the Netherlands and the Northern Lights project in Norway. In Japan, Deloitte is promoting an ambitious demonstration project in Tomakomai, Hokkaido. It attempts to provide a comprehensive solution to the complex problem of using CCUS in society.