CCS – what is it?

Carbon dioxide is a significant by-product of oil and natural gas production at the well-head, hydrocarbon and coal combustion (especially in power generation) and several manufacturing industries (e.g. cement).  Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) involves technology that captures CO₂ produced by these industrial processes and stores it underground.  In doing so, CCS technology attempts to prevent the CO₂ from being released into the atmosphere.  From the point of view of potential climate change it seems like a sensible thing to do.  However, CCS does have its detractors who argue primarily that either it doesn’t matter how much CO₂ enters the atmosphere, or that the costs far outweigh the benefits.  Indeed, the cost of CCS programs is high.  Regardless, the science of CCS is fascinating. Continue reading →