On the Path to Commercial CCS: Scaling from Field Demonstration to Regional Hub

Abstract

Commercial-scale industrial Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) has long been an objective to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and increase storage and production potential. As a technology, it is deemed critical for achieving CO2 reductions that can lead to Paris Agreement targets for below 2°C global average temperature increases. Many models to mitigate atmospheric CO2 emissions call for CCUS from bioenergy, also known as BECCS, as a significant contributor to help achieve these climate goals. Facilitating the development of commercial-scale projects from industrial sources of CO2 has been a strategic process across multiple phases leading ultimately to a succession of projects of increasing scale in the Central United States. Four major CCS projects in the Illinois Basin region, USA exemplify the strategic pathway defined more than a decade ago by the U.S. Department of Energy – National Technology Laboratory (US DOE). Starting in 2003, the Midwest Geological Sequestration Consortium (MGSC), one of the US DOE Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnerships, has been working to define regional CCUS potential, conducting small enhanced oil and enhanced coalbed methane projects, and conducting a large-scale deep saline CCS storage project. As a direct outcome of the Illinois Basin – Decatur Project (IBDP), a one million tonne storage demonstration, the Illinois Industrial Sources CCS Project (ICCS) has expanded infrastructure and injection potential to industrial commercial-scale. Advancing CCS even further, the CarbonSAFE Macon County and Wabash feasibility projects seek to conduct physical and social site characterization leading to the development of storage complexes with the potential to receive and store over 50 million tonnes of CO2 from single or multiple sources. These projects combined provide an excellent example of how leveraging research, public-private partnerships, resources, relationships, and experience move CCUS forward regionally resulting in infrastructure to support storage and utilization hubs. This paper provides a brief summary of CCUS projects the Illinois Basin region of the US Midwest, and discusses of areas of overlap between projects, as well as the ways in which resources and collaborations have benefitted and challenged the individual projects. Broader lessons are provided to facilitate scale-up with CCS and CCUS deployment throughout the region.