Prospects for CO₂ capture in European industry

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study is to assess the role of CO₂ capture and storage (CCS) technologies in the reduction of CO₂ emissions from European industries.

Design/methodology/approach

A database covering all industrial installations included in the EU ETS has been created. Potential capture sources have been identified and the potential for CO₂ capture has been estimated based on branch‐ and plant‐specific conditions. Emphasis is placed here on three branches of industry with promising prospects for CCS: mineral oil refineries, iron and steel, and cement manufacturers.

Findings

A relatively small number (∼270) of large installations (>500,000 tCO₂/year) dominates emissions from the three branches investigated in this study. Together these installations emit 432 MtCO₂/year, 8 percent of EU's total greenhouse gas emissions. If the full potential of emerging CO₂ capture technologies was realized, some 270‐330 MtCO₂ emissions could be avoided annually. Further, several regions have been singled out as particularly suitable to facilitate integrated CO₂ transport networks. The most promising prospects for an early deployment of CCS are found in the regions bordering the North Sea.

Research limitations/implications

Replacement/retrofitting of the existing plant stock will involve large investments and deployment will take time. It is thus important to consider how the current industry structure influences the potential to reduce CO₂ in the short‐ medium and long term. It is concluded that the age structure of the existing industry plant stock and its implications for the timing and deployment rate of CO₂ capture and other mitigation measures are important and should therefore be further investigated.

Practical implications

CCS has been recognized as a key option for reducing CO₂ emissions within the EU. This assessment shows that considerable emission reductions could be achieved by targeting large point sources in some of the most emission‐intensive industries. Yet, a number of challenges need to be resolved in all parts of the CCS chain. Efforts need to be intensified from all stakeholders to gain more experience with the technological, economical and social aspects of CCS.

Originality/value

This study provides a first estimate of the potential role for CO₂ capture technologies in lowering CO₂ emissions from European heavy industry. By considering wider system aspects as well as plant‐specific conditions the assessment made in this study gives a realistic overview of the prospects and practical limitations of CCS in EU industry.

Citation

Rootzén, J., Kjärstad, J. and Johnsson, F. (2011), "Prospects for CO₂ capture in European industry", Management of Environmental Quality, Vol. 22 No. 1, pp. 18-32. https://doi.org/10.1108/14777831111098453