Abstract
Many studies have quantified the cost of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) power plants, but relatively few discuss or appreciate the unique value this technology provides to the electricity system.
Highlights
The structure and operation of our electricity system are expected to experience an unprecedented rate of change in the period to 2050 and beyond
Intermittent renewable energy sources, referred to as variable renewable energy (VRE),[13] unquestionably has an important role to play in decarbonising the electricity system; it is not a case of ‘‘renewables or carbon capture and storage (CCS)’’, but ‘‘renewables and CCS’’
We find that the carbon intensity (CI) of electricity coming from combined capacity where wind power generation is backed up by coalfired power plants still exceeds the CI of a conventional Combined Cycle Gas Turbines (CCGT) operating independently
Summary
Fossil fuels cannot continue to be exploited as they have been,[5] with a significant fraction of the world’s reserves branded ‘‘unburnable’’.6 the fossil fuels are themselves not ‘‘unburnable’’, rather the CO2 released from their combustion is ‘‘unemittable’’, and in this context carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a unique proposition for decarbonising the power sector. IRES can provide low-carbon electricity, their power output depends on a fluctuating energy source (wind or insolation) which cannot be controlled. Balancing capacity can come from energy storage technologies, demand-side mechanisms, and conventional firm capacity such as nuclear or fossil fuel power plants. The increasing penetration of intermittent power generation is stressing the electric grid’s operability to its limits and is increasing the requirements for reserve and frequency control.[15,16] The trilemma between carbon avoidance, cost, and security requires a delicate balance.[17,18].
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