Paper: GS – III, Subject: Environment and Ecology, Topic: Pollution, Issue: Role of Carbon Capture in Net-Zero.
Context:
Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) is pivotal for India’s net-zero emissions target by 2070, as highlighted in the recent Budget’s Rs 20,000 crore allocation to develop these technologies for hard-to-abate industries like steel, cement, and power.
Key Takeaways:
What are CCUS Solutions?
- CCUS refers to a suite of technologies designed to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from industrial processes.
- This captured CO2 can then be either stored permanently, often in underground geological formations, or utilized to create valuable products.
It consists of three stages: capture, transport and storage (or usage) of CO2.
- Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) Capture: CO2 is captured from large point sources, such as coal-fired power plants or industrial facilities, or from the atmosphere.
- Transport: Once captured, the CO2 is compressed and transported by ship, rail, truck, or pipeline to where it will be utilized or stored.
- Utilization: The CO2 can be used to create valuable products, such as cementitious materials, chemicals, or even fuels.
- Storage: Alternatively, it can be injected deep underground into geological formations, such as depleted oil and gas reservoirs, coal seams, or saline aquifers, for long-term storage.
Relevance to India:
India has been actively promoting the development and deployment of indigenous CCUS technologies tailored to its specific needs.
- India aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.
- Several pilot and demonstration projects are underway in industries like steel, cement, and chemicals.
- Potential sites for large-scale carbon capture and long-term storage have been identified.
Critical for Some Industries:
- CCUS technology is relevant for industries such as steel and cement where CO2 release is an intrinsic part of production.
- In such sectors, just switching from fossil fuels to renewable electricity does not get rid of CO2.
Carbon capture is a critical enabler of India’s net-zero ambitions, especially for hard-to-abate industries, but requires policy support, cost reduction, and rapid scaling.
Source: (The Indian Express)
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