Carbon capture: Prospects and policy agenda for CO2-neutral power generation

Abstract

By mid-century, global mean temperature increase from pre-industrial levels must remain below 1.5 °C to resist the forces of climate chaos. Recent studies emphasize the central role that the electricity system must play in achieving 100 % carbon-free generation, particularly through greater reliance on zero-carbon, firm output. Major firm power options that emit little or no carbon include hydro, nuclear, geothermal, and carbon capture and storage (CCS). This article examines the status of CCS, now applied at coal-fired power plants and under consideration at natural gas plants in North America and certain European nations. We identify key developments: (i) CCS can eliminate and permanently store virtually all fossil-fired CO2 emissions from power plants; (ii) following targeted policies, doing so would be cost-competitive with other strategies to generate zero-carbon, firm electricity; and (iii) combining aggressive upstream greenhouse gas emissions mitigation with near-100 % carbon capture at the power plant can create significant benefits on par with the lifecycle emissions of other renewable and clean generation resources. Finally, we examine the policy pathways, infrastructure, and jurisdictions central to CCS expansion—particularly in the U.S. and its subdivisions. Also discussed is the critical need to export CCS technology to all parts of the globe, especially areas like China and Southeast Asia that are likely to depend on fossil electricity for decades.