16 Mar 2021
All about ‘Carbon Capture Storage’ in India
Carbon capture storage (CCS), also known as carbon capture and sequestration and carbon control and sequestration, is the process of capturing waste carbon dioxide, transferring it to a storage site, and depositing it where it will not enter the atmosphere. Usually, it is captured from large point sources, such as a cement factory or biomass […]

Carbon capture storage (CCS), also known as carbon capture and sequestration and carbon control and sequestration, is the process of capturing waste carbon dioxide, transferring it to a storage site, and depositing it where it will not enter the atmosphere.

Carbon Capture
Image credits: Emilian Robert Vicol 

Usually, it is captured from large point sources, such as a cement factory or biomass power plant, and normally it is stored in an underground geological formation. 

It prevents the release of large quantities of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere from heavy industry, and so help to limit climate change.

Why is Carbon capture important

Carbon capture technologies play an important role in providing dispatchable, low-carbon electricity.

Also, enabling the production of low-carbon hydrogen at scale coal or natural gas with CCS is the cheapest way to produce low-carbon hydrogen.

Why does India need ‘Carbon Capture’? 

India’s percentage carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions rose slower in 2016-19 than in 2011-15 but were much above the world average of 0.7%, according to an analysis published in Nature Climate Change. It is also the fourth-largest greenhouse gas emitter after China, US, and the EU. India will continue to see the biggest increase in fossil fuel emissions. This is partly due to rapid economic growth, industrialization, and efforts to bring electricity to rural communities. 

While renewables will certainly replace a part of the current energy consumption, the country will be largely dependent on coal and fossil fuels for industry and electricity in the foreseeable future. 

Along with renewables, the solution to a green and economically vibrant India, thus, lies in exploiting clean coal technologies based on gasification and carbon capture.

Current status 

Presently, we do not have a policy regarding carbon capture or gasification. But, such sorts of technologies will be a game-changer for our fuel economy and environmental conservancy.

4 years ago, a firm in Tuticorin made advances in this field, becoming the first to capture its own carbon and making baking soda out of it! Recently, Elon Musk announced a $100 M prize for developing and executing the most efficient carbon capture technology. 

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