Climate change is one of the greatest global challenges of our time. To prevent global average temperatures from rising by more than 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels, as set out in the Paris Agreement, it is crucial to reduce greenhouse gas emissions such as CO2. However, the transition to completely clean energy sources is slow, and the burning of fossil fuels remains a major source of energy. In this context, the CO2 capture emerges as a viable solution to mitigate emissions while moving towards a more sustainable energy model.
To stabilize the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere and avoid serious climate impacts, it is imperative not only to reduce emissions, but also capture and store the CO2 emittedThis article explores how CO2 is intended to be captured, transported and stored, a field in which scientist Edward Rubin has played a crucial role.
CO2 Capture and Edward Rubin
Edward Rubin is one of the leading figures in the field of CO2 capture. From Carnegie Mellon University in the United States, he has dedicated his career to researching and developing technologies for the capture, transport and storage of CO2 emitted by power plants that burn fossil fuels. Not only is he the author of multiple studies in this field, but he has also headed IPCC reports on these technologies.
Rubin points out that most climate models exploring future scenarios do not contemplate drastic reductions in CO2 emissions without including the capture and geological storage of this gas. Despite efforts to increase the use of renewable energy, a rapid transition to a zero-emissions future is not feasible without these auxiliary technologies.
A solution to gas emissions
An immediate phase-out of all fossil fuels is not a realistic option. As global energy demand continues to rise, it is necessary to look for alternatives hybrid solutions that include both increased penetration of renewable energy and technologies to capture carbon dioxide. Solar and wind energy have great potential, but their deployment and expansion are not advancing fast enough to meet the 80% emissions reduction targets by 2050. According to Rubin, the world is still heavily dependent on fossil fuels, and is likely to remain that way for the foreseeable future.
“We live in a world addicted to fossil fuels, where it is very difficult to wean society off them despite the seriousness of climate change.”
Knowledge of the carbon cycle has advanced sufficiently to enable technologies to capture, store and reuse CO2 on a large scale. However, the widespread implementation of these solutions requires effective regulation and an appropriate investment framework.
“A decade ago, there were anticipatory investments, but as the prospect of strong political action faded, the pace of investment declined.”
In the European Union, one of the most ambitious projects for CO2 capture was funded in Spain. The European Commission allocated 180 million euros to a capture and storage project at the Endesa plant in Compostilla (Cubillos de Sil, León), which was interrupted in 2013 due to the drop in the prices of emission rights.
Need for appropriate legislation
The impact of appropriate legislation on the development and adoption of CO2 capture technologies cannot be underestimated. Regulatory regimes that penalise uncaptured emissions could dramatically increase the adoption of these technologies worldwide. A clear example is in vehicle regulations, where catalytic converters reduce emissions of toxic gases. Similarly, legislation mandating CO2 capture would be crucial.
Rubin says there are no scientific or technological barriers to massive CO2 capture. The main difficulty is economic and political, and points to the lack of deterrence regarding emissions that are not captured. Capturing CO2 consumes energy, but if fines or strict restrictions were imposed on uncaptured emissions, capture would inevitably be encouraged.”
Other technologies for CO2 capture
In addition to direct underground storage, innovative new technologies are being developed to use captured CO2 in a variety of ways:
- fuel production: Research is underway into the production of synthetic fuels from CO2. These could replace fossil fuels in sectors such as aviation.
- Construction materials: CO2 can be reused in the manufacture of materials such as cement, where part of the gas can be permanently trapped.
- Agriculture and food: Uses in food production, especially in greenhouse crops, are also being explored.
More and more projects around the world are advancing in the research and development of these technologies. A relevant example is the project Carbfix in Iceland, which implements accelerated mineralization of CO2, converting it into solid rock, ensuring its permanent storage.
Another promising development is the use of biogas and biomethane, which allows the capture of methane (CH4), another powerful greenhouse gas. Through these processes, methane is converted into renewable energy, in addition to capturing the associated CO2.
The large-scale implementation of these technologies could provide additional solutions, not only to reduce emissions, but to mitigate climate change through the sequestration and responsible use of greenhouse gases.
The great diversity of emerging technologies shows that CO2 capture is not a single solution, but part of a set of actions that collectively can help us combat climate change. Without a doubt, CO2 capture It is a key piece to complement renewable energies in the effort to curb global warming.
Great dilemma, while a part of the world becomes aware of climate change, the United States, with Donald Trump at the forefront, moves away from international agreements on emissions control, underdeveloped and developing countries do not have the necessary technologies to control more effective emissions, developed countries buy the emission quotas of poor countries, because above all they are imposed to survive, so what to do? where will we go in this crazy race?