Carbon Capture and Storage

Recently I had the chance to catch up with Marco Mazzotti, Professor of Process Engineering in the Institute of Process Engineering at the ETH Zurich, to discuss his research into CCS.Read more

CCS in Europe will fail if Member States do not deliver the essential regulatory and financial support needed. This support needs to be delivered fast, according to a statement by Zero Emissions Platform (ZEP) Chairman Dr. Graeme Sweeney (EVP, CO2, Shell) and Vice-Chairman Frederic Hauge (CEO, The Bellona Foundation.Read more

Technological advances are making it possible to derive energy from greener sources. But wind turbines, solar panels, biofuels, biomass plants or carbon capture and storage (CCS) are not free of controversy.

There are still concerns about each technology, which have in various parts of Europe stoked resistance to pilot and full-scale deployment projects. Wind farms are criticised for being noisy eyesores. Biofuels are accused threatening biodiversity and negatively affects food production and prices. Opponents of CCS projects say the technology is still risky. There have been ‘not-in-my-backyard’ reactions to solar projects, with complaints that solar parks affect land prices. Yet, at the same time, opinion polls show that the general public remains very supportive of renewable energies.

This puts politicians and decision-makers in a difficult position. Unless the public accepts these new technologies, the EU will not reach its targets to decrease emissions by 20% compared to 1990 levels by 2020, increase the share of renewables in its energy mix to 20% and de-carbonise its energy sector by 2050. Equally, Europe’s competitiveness will be affected unless employment and competitiveness opportunities must be met.

The EU and its member states have already developed tools that allow for public involvement in decision-making on infrastructure projects, through their environmental impact assessment and strategic environmental assessment legislations. But public consultation is not made mandatory, and public consultation does not automatically lead to support either.

Should the EU develop a specific strategy to win public support of new technological infrastructure projects? Is it up to member states or regions to persuade local populations?

Is public awareness sufficient? How can the EU bridge the gap between theory and practice?

This debate took place during the Committee of the Regions’ annual Open Days that bring together representatives from Europe’s regions and cities.

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Timing

14.00-14.30 Welcome of participants and registration

14.30-14.35 Introduction of participants by European Voice senior editorial staff

14.35-14.45 Presentation by Ron van Erck, policy officer, DG energy, European Commission, of preliminary findings of European Commission (DG energy) study on public attitudes to low-carbon energy technologies

14.45-15.15 Panel discussion

• Connie Hedegaard, European Commissioner for climate action (until 15.30)
• Edit Herczog MEP, member of the industry, research and energy committee, European Parliament
• Annabelle Jacquet, deputy head of cabinet of Jean-Marc Nollet, vice-president, minister in charge of energy and sustainable development, Wallonia Region
• Vicente J. Cortes, director, oxycombustion and CO2 capture programme, CIUDEN foundation
• Nick Pidgeon, professor of applied psychology, Cardiff University
• Andrea Athanas, senior programme officer, energy, International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

15.15-16.25 Debate (audience participation strongly encouraged)

16.25-16.30 Conclusions by Hans van der Loo, vice-president European Union liaison, Shell

16.30 Networking reception

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The world will continue to rely on fossil fuel to supply the bulk of its energy for decades to come. So, finding ways to reduce the carbon emissions that come from burning these fuels is a major challenge that must be addressed.
An important opportunity for reducing these emissions is through the introduction of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology.

How can we?
There are various technologies already in use to capture the CO2, however implementing CCS on a global scale presents significant challenges in its own right.

Speeding up installation, reducing cost, creating an effective transport infrastructure and overcoming community resistance to local storage facilities are all priorities that need to be addressed.

If adoption of Carbon Capture and Storage is urgent, then why isn’t it happening faster?

Discussion: If adoption of Carbon Capture and Storage is urgent, then why isn't it happening faster?

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A member of the Comment:Visions team attended the GovNet Communication’s Science and Innovation 2010 Conference at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in Westminster, London on 16 June. The theme of the event was the need to address the way the UK supports its science and technology talent and turning the support into economic growth...Read more

One year after its first debate on the issue, the Comment:Visions series focuses again on carbon capture and storage (CCS). This time, however, the question is no longer whether to implement CCS or not, but how to implement it.

A political consensus has emerged in favour of implementing CCS, but many questions remain about how to ensure that it delivers the expected benefits. Will the recently approved legislation provide sufficient incentives for businesses to invest in CCS? What other incentives exist? Is the market ready for CCS?

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Discussion: Carbon capture and storage: don't ask questions, just do it now?

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With the dynamics, the consequences and the solutions regarding climate change subject to fierce ongoing debate, this month’s Comment Visions gets an expert’s perspective on the issues.

An international authority on the polar regions and a distinguished glaciologist and climatologist, Dr. Olav Orheim has been researching the polar regions for more than 30 years. He has visited the Arctic 50 times and made 18 field trips to the Antarctic. Dr. Orheim has seen up close the effects of climate change, having spent over two decades as the Director of Research at Norway’s Polar Research Institute. He was made a Knight of the Order of St. Olaf in 2007 for his services to polar research.

With the future extent of climate change as yet unknown the search for political and practical solutions remains vital and Olaf Orheim looks at what can be done to engage with the problem.

Discussion: Carbon Capture and Storage has been proposed as a way to reduce greenhouse gases and slow down global warming, but are there other strategies that could be more effective?

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Welcome to the eighth Comment event.

The debate will be moderated by Jennifer Rankin, European Voice’s environment and energy reporter.

The discussion will focus on carbon capture and storage (CCS) and will address questions such as:

• Is CCS viable and when?
• Does CCS increase reliance on fossil fuels?
• Will CCS divert resources away from developing renewable sources of energy?
• Who is responsible if stored carbon dioxide leaks?

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