Carbon dioxide capture and storage: issues and prospects

Heleen de Coninck, Sally M. Benson

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

185 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Almost 20 years ago, the first CO2 capture and storage (CCS) project began injecting CO2 into a deep geological formation in an offshore aquifer. Relevant science has advanced in areas such as chemical engineering, geophysics, and social psychology. Governments have generously funded demonstrations. As a result, a handful of industrial-scale CCS projects are currently injecting about 15 megatons of CO2 underground annually that contribute to climate change mitigation. However, CCS is struggling to gain a foothold in the set of options for dealing with climate change. This review explores why and discusses critical conditions for CCS to emerge as a viable mitigation option. Explanations for this struggle include the absence of government action on climate change, economic crisis–induced low carbon prices, public skepticism, increasing costs, and advances in other options including renewables and shale gas. Climate change action is identified as a critical condition for progress in CCS, in addition to community support, safe storage, robust policy support, and favorable CCS market conditions.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)243-270
JournalAnnual Review of Environment and Resources
Volume39
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • geological storage
  • climate change mitigation
  • CCS
  • legislation
  • public perception

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