CCS
Carbon Capture and Storage is a technology which can play a major role in meeting reduction targets for green house gas emissions. Its deployment would need to be an a truly massive scale on par with other major energy infrastructures such as power generation and oil and gas production. It is a technology with much promise but also with significant opponents who might point out its high cost, its prolongation of fossil fuel dependence, its additional fossil fuel requirements and risks associated with storing large amounts of CO2 underground.
These arguments are valid and countered by pointing out:-
-Although costly the alternatives are often more expensive especially on the scale required
-Phasing out use of fossil fuels in all applications is considered to be impractical in the short and medium term as so much of society relies on them as an energy source and for production of chemicals and other materials vital to everyday life. CCS can provide a bridge between a utopean fossil fuel free future and having to bear its cost will help to level the playing field for alternative forms of primary energy and production of essential materials.
-CCS does consume
more energy but the amount required is being reduced through
development of more efficient processes. It also has other spin off
benefits such as reduction of other noxious emissions which will
require energy to eliminate in the futureand and it does provide
CO2 for other uses .
-There is extensive experience with underground reservoirs and industry has a wealth of advanced methods for determining whether they can contain stored materials for geological time. The risks are already well understood and the safe practices and monitoring which will be required can be defined. Ensuring compliance with safe practices remains a significant challenge for regulatory authorities.