Strides toward carbon neutrality are being made through innovative projects and collaborative agreements. From the construction of the pioneering Porthos carbon capture and storage system in Rotterdam to the groundbreaking research at the University of Queensland on carbon-negative generators, initiatives are underway to combat climate change.
Join us as we delve into the stories that are shaping the future of carbon capture!
Groundbreaking Porthos Project: Revolutionizing Carbon Capture and Storage in Rotterdam
Construction has begun on the first major carbon dioxide transportation and storage system in the Netherlands, known as Porthos. Located in Rotterdam, crews have initiated drilling under the sea wall at Maasvlakte to facilitate the project. A pipeline will transport the greenhouse gas to empty gas fields in the North Sea for permanent storage. With an investment of 1.3 billion euros, Porthos is set to finish by 2026, spearheaded by the Port of Rotterdam Authority, Energie Beheer Nederland, and Gasunie.
Key companies like Air Liquide, Air Products, ExxonMobil, and Shell are contributing to the project by capturing carbon dioxide and supplying it to Porthos. Upon completion, Porthos is expected to reduce carbon emissions in the Rotterdam port industrial area by around 10 percent, marking a significant step towards environmental sustainability.
UQ's Carbon-Negative Nano-Generator: A Game-Changer in Industrial Carbon Capture
University of Queensland researchers have developed a groundbreaking electrical generator capable of consuming carbon dioxide, potentially revolutionizing industrial-scale carbon capture. Created by Zhuyuan Wang and Xiwang Zhang from UQ's Dow Centre for Sustainable Engineering Innovation, the carbon-negative "nano-generator" pairs a polyamine gel with a boron nitrate skeleton to absorb CO2 and generate electricity simultaneously.
This dual-purpose device has sparked enthusiasm among researchers, envisioning its integration into commercial CO2 absorption plants to offset costs and improve sustainability. Additionally, the nano-generator holds promise as a portable domestic unit, consuming CO2 from the environment while powering small devices. Despite its current capability of harvesting only 1% of CO2's total energy, further research aims to enhance efficiency and reduce costs. As the team continues development through initiatives like GETCO2, they seek industrial partnerships to advance this promising technology, offering a more efficient and cost-effective alternative to existing carbon capture methods plagued by high costs and inefficiencies.
Northern European Nations Forge Path for Cross-Border Carbon Capture and Storage Infrastructure
Five northern European countries, including Denmark, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Sweden, have united to establish Europe’s carbon capture and storage (CCS) infrastructure, marking a significant step towards cross-border transport and storage of captured CO2. These arrangements, finalized on April 15, pave the way for CO2 transport and geological storage across national borders, enhancing the feasibility of a well-functioning CCS market in the North Sea region. With Norway’s extensive CO2 storage potential, agreements with neighboring countries aim to utilize Norwegian storage sites, exemplified by the Northern Lights project, a key part of the Longship CCS project.
The development of this infrastructure aligns with European climate goals, fostering cooperation in tackling hard-to-abate emissions and promoting CCS as a crucial climate tool. The agreements signify a proactive approach to scaling up the CCS sector and establishing necessary infrastructure, as emphasized by stakeholders such as Danish Shipping and Belgian Minister of the North Sea, Paul Van Tigchelt. As Europe strives for climate neutrality by 2050, CCS emerges as a pivotal strategy alongside renewable energy and energy efficiency measures, reflecting a collective commitment to combatting climate change.
Advancing Carbon Capture: Sweden's New Agreements Propel Net Zero Goals
Sweden has taken significant steps towards achieving its ambitious climate goals, signing cooperation agreements on carbon capture and storage (CCS) with Norway and Denmark. These agreements facilitate the permanent storage of Swedish-captured carbon dioxide in nearby countries, enhancing collaboration among Nordic nations in combating climate change. Additionally, Sweden has submitted a notification of state aid to the European Commission, signaling its commitment to investing in CCS projects and seeking financial support for sustainable energy solutions.
Beccs Stockholm, a leading bio-energy CCS initiative, welcomed these developments, expressing optimism about the support for their project aimed at removing 7 million tons of CO2 over ten years. Anders Egelrud, CEO of Stockholm Exergi, emphasized the importance of Sweden's collaboration with countries offering superior storage conditions and urged swift progress in securing support for CCS initiatives. Sweden's proactive stance in solidifying collaborations and seeking support underscores its dedication to global sustainability efforts, setting a positive example for other nations striving for net zero emissions.
Denmark Funds Carbon Capture Projects: Boosting CO2 Reduction Efforts
Denmark's government has allocated $24 million annually from 2026 to 2032 to support carbon capture and storage projects, targeting the handling of 160,350 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. Established in 2022, Copenhagen's fund for negative CO2 emissions (NECCS) aims to fund projects removing CO2 from flue gas emitted by biomass facilities, cogeneration plants, biogas plants, and waste incinerators. The Danish Energy Agency (DEA) has already entered contracts with BioCirc CO2 and Bioman, with additional funding set for Carbon Capture Scotland. BioCirc receives the lion's share of Dkr128.58 million for capturing 130,700 tpa of CO2, while Bioman and Carbon Capture Scotland secure Dkr27.94 million and Dkr12.09 million respectively for their projects. Funds will be released upon documentation of permanent underground geological storage of captured CO2, demonstrating market interest in biomass CO2 capture. These projects, planned to store CO2 in Denmark, are pivotal in maturing Denmark's CCS value chain, with no further bidding rounds planned for NECCS fund support.
Shipping Industry Collaboration: PIL and CCSWR Join Forces to Reduce GHG Emissions
Pacific International Lines (PIL) and the Classification Society of West-North Russia (CCSWR) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from vessels. CCSWR, known for developing classification regulations and technical standards, will work with PIL to explore alternative fuels and onboard carbon capture and storage systems.
The partnership will extend to areas like green fuel supply chains, sustainability regulation compliance, and knowledge sharing on marine green fuel bunkering and lashing technology. PIL emphasizes sustainability as a core value and sees collaboration with CCSWR as vital in achieving common environmental goals. Both organizations aim to minimize the shipping industry's environmental footprint and contribute to a sustainable future through upskilling personnel and implementing new technologies. PIL's recent partnership with DP World underscores its commitment to decarbonizing global supply chains and driving green solutions as part of its decarbonization agenda.
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