CO2 capture and storage: Costs and market potential

Abstract

This chapter aims to analyze the costs and market potential for CO2 capture and storage (CCS) mitigation option. It discusses that CCS fits nicely in a portfolio of mitigation options that include increased energy efficiency, growth in renewable energy technologies, and expansion of nuclear power. It focuses on the components of the CCS system—capture, transport, and storage. For each of these components, the major causes of variability are discussed and the cost ranges are presented. However, this is no different than other CO2 mitigation technologies—there is always a range to costs, not simply a single value. To really understand the meaning of any cost numbers, one must understand the context for which they were derived. It also assesses total system costs and market potential. While there is much variability, the chapter concludes with some robust findings regarding costs and market potential of CCS technologies.