Welcome to our latest issue of the Carbon Corner!
Join us as we discover how companies like Equatic are revolutionizing carbon capture through seawater electrolysis, while major players like Exxon Mobil and Shell collaborate with Singapore on cross-border CCS projects. We are going to delve into this and much more!
Red Trail Energy Makes History with CO2 Removal Certificates in Voluntary Carbon Market
North Dakota-based Red Trail Energy (RTE) has made history as the first ethanol production plant to issue CO2 Removal Certificates (CORCs) in the voluntary carbon market, a milestone announced jointly by Red Trail Energy and Pure.earth. This achievement solidifies the plant's position as a significant player in durable carbon removal projects, thanks to its bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) initiative during ethanol production.
Under the rigorous verification process and methodology outlined by Puro, Red Trail Energy met strict criteria for sustainability, carbon sequestration permanence, and financial additionality. Red Trail Energy's BECCS operation, with guidance from EcoEngineers, has yielded over 150,000 CO2 Removal Certificates within the first 14 months, marking a significant step towards scaling carbon dioxide removal (CDR) initiatives and addressing global carbon emissions challenges.
Valero Partners with Summit Carbon Solutions for Major Carbon-Capture Initiative in the Midwest
Valero Energy Corp has partnered with Summit Carbon Solutions to join their carbon-capture and storage project, aiming to transport greenhouse gases from eight ethanol plants and capture 3.1 million metric tons of CO2 annually. This collaboration follows the recent inclusion of POET LLC, the largest ethanol producer, in Summit's pipeline project.
With Valero onboard, Summit's initiative now encompasses 57 ethanol production facilities across the upper Midwest, spanning over 2,000 miles across five states. Despite its expansion, the project faces opposition from landowners concerned about potential CO2 leaks, land damage, or eminent domain issues along the pipeline route.
Exxon Mobil and Shell Partner with Singapore on Groundbreaking Carbon Capture Project
Global energy giants Exxon Mobil and Shell have announced their collaboration with Singapore to spearhead a groundbreaking cross-border carbon capture and storage initiative. Through the establishment of the S-Hub consortium, comprising ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. and Shell Singapore Pte. Ltd., the companies will lead efforts to develop the CCS project in partnership with the Singapore government.
The project aims to significantly reduce the country's carbon dioxide emissions by capturing and permanently storing at least 2.5 million tons of CO2 annually by 2030. This ambitious endeavor involves storing CO2 emissions deep underground or beneath the seabed, with meticulous site selection to ensure optimal suitability and effectiveness. The memorandum of understanding signed between S-Hub and the Singapore Economic Development Board in December 2023 marks a pivotal step towards realizing this transformative initiative.
Equatic's Seawater Electrolysis: A Breakthrough in Carbon Capture Innovation
Equatic, a carbon removal startup, is making waves with plans to construct a groundbreaking carbon capture demonstration plant in Singapore. Utilizing a unique process of electrolyzing seawater without chlorine production, Equatic aims to capture 3,650 metric tons of carbon annually, positioning itself among the world's largest carbon dioxide removal facilities.
Scheduled to commence operations in summer 2024, the plant will initially capture 1 metric ton of CO2 per day, eventually scaling up to 10 metric tonnes daily. Equatic’s approach, which leverages seawater electrolysis to capture carbon dioxide, offers a cost-effective solution that generates low-carbon hydrogen and provides carbon removal services, distinguishing it from competitors. Financing the venture through carbon credit sales and hydrogen pre-sales, Equatic aims to drive down removal costs below $100 per tonne before 2030, signaling a promising future for sustainable carbon capture initiatives.
Japan-Malaysia Partnership: Cross-Border Carbon Capture and Storage Initiative
Japanese companies Eneos, JX Nippon Oil & Gas Exploration, and Mitsubishi Corp. have joined forces with Petronas, a Malaysian state-owned energy company, to launch a cross-border carbon capture and storage initiative. The collaborative project aims to capture carbon dioxide emissions from industrial zones around Tokyo Bay, including an Eneos refinery, and transport the captured CO2 to Malaysia for storage in depleted oil fields.
Starting in fiscal 2030, the project targets an initial capture of 3 million tonnes of CO2 annually, with plans to increase to 6 million tonnes over time. This partnership aligns with Japan's decarbonization goals, as the government aims to capture and sequester 120 million to 240 million tonnes of carbon annually by 2050, relying on international collaborations due to limited storage space within the country.
Schaper Energy Consulting is a professional engineering firm offering carbon strategy services to CCS site developers. Check out some examples of our projects here: https://schaperintl.com/carbon-strategies/
If you have questions or comments, please contact us at info@schaperintl.com.
We hope you enjoyed reading this week and hope to see you back next week for more!