Latest news with #BECCS
Zawya
02-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
CCS technologies gaining ground, but policy and cost barriers remain
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies are gaining attention as governments and industries seek to reduce emissions in sectors where electrification remains limited, according to Faysal Taher, Partner and Associate Director at Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Taher noted that several CCS technologies are currently being deployed, including post-combustion capture, pre-combustion capture suited for gasification, and emerging approaches like Direct Air Capture (DAC) and Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS). 'Post-combustion capture uses amine-based solvents to strip CO2 from flue gases - ideal for retrofitting existing facilities,' explained Taher. 'Pre-combustion capture technology is also promising, converting fuel into hydrogen and CO2 before combustion, making it particularly effective in gasification plants. DAC, which captures CO2 directly from the atmosphere, presents significant opportunities for negative emissions, while BECCS) combines biomass energy production with CO2 capture, offering a dual benefit of clean energy generation and carbon sequestration. 'These technologies are not just theoretical but are already laying the groundwork for a lower-carbon future,' Taher said. According to the BCG executive, several large-scale CCS projects demonstrate the feasibility and impact of carbon capture technologies on a global scale. The Sleipner project in Norway, which has been operational since 1996, is a pioneer, storing approximately 1 million tonnes of CO2 annually beneath the North Sea. In Australia, the Gorgon Project stands out for its ambitious target of capturing 4 million tonnes of CO2 per year, showcasing how CCS can be integrated into natural gas processing. In the Middle East, the first commercial CCS initiative in the UAE captures 800,000 tonnes of CO2 annually from steel production. 'These projects provide a blueprint for future deployments, demonstrating how strong policy support, industry expertise, and innovative technologies can come together to achieve significant emissions reductions,' he said. He acknowledged that while carbon capture methods are advancing, high costs, infrastructure gaps, and policy uncertainty continue to hinder large-scale deployment. Excerpts from the interview: Why has CCS been slow to scale despite the increasing need for emissions reductions? Despite the need for emissions reductions, CCS technologies face implementation hurdles such as high costs, infrastructure limitations, and policy uncertainties. High CAPEX and OPEX costs, along with efficiency losses, pose financial challenges, making CCS a less immediately viable approach when compared to other decarbonisation options. Infrastructure gaps in CO2 transport and storage further limit scalability, while policy uncertainties and inadequate pricing mechanisms challenge project viability, highlighting the need for stronger and more consistent measures to support CCS investment. Do you believe government incentives and policies are sufficient to drive CCS adoption at scale? What role do you see for private investment in CCS? Current incentives are not yet sufficient to support the large-scale adoption of CCS. While there is growing political and regulatory commitment to decarbonisation, carbon pricing and tax credits are strengthening to create a stable and attractive market for CCS projects. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) play a key role in bridging this gap, enabling governments to de-risk investments while the private sector drives innovation. Emerging revenue models, such as CO2 utilisation in fuels, chemicals, and building materials, offer new opportunities for business case improvement. Some studies suggest that CCS technologies may not effectively reduce CO2 emissions and could even increase energy consumption. How do you respond to these concerns? Concerns about the energy penalty associated with CCS technologies are justified, but ongoing technological advancements are steadily improving efficiency and reducing energy demands. While CCS processes do require additional energy, continuous improvements in capture technologies are bridging this gap. As a result, high capture rates are already achievable. Both post-combustion and pre-combustion methods can remove over 90 percent of CO2, demonstrating the effectiveness of CCS in real-world applications. This is particularly important in hard-to-abate sectors such as cement & steel, where electrification is difficult or not viable. Rather than viewing CCS as a perfect solution, it should be seen as a critical component of a broader decarbonisation strategy, complementing renewable energy and other low-carbon technologies to achieve net-zero goals, particularly in industries where carbon emissions are otherwise challenging to mitigate. With MENA holding 10 percent of global operational CCS facilities, how should it capitalise on its early-mover advantage? The MENA region has a unique opportunity to build on its early-mover advantage by expanding CO2 infrastructure through the development of regional transport and storage hubs. Utilising the region's deep oil and gas expertise to repurpose depleted reservoirs for CO2 storage can reduce costs and increase storage capacity. To strengthen its leadership in CCS, the region should also focus on boosting policy support by introducing more substantial carbon pricing and incentives that encourage investment and innovation. Integrating CCS with low-carbon hydrogen production could help the region set a global benchmark, blending economic growth with climate action. What is the one misconception about CCS that you believe needs to be corrected? There are several. A persistent misconception is that "CCS is a distraction from renewables." In reality, CCS complements clean energy by targeting hard-to-abate sectors where electrification is not feasible. Another misconception is that "CO2 storage is unsafe." However, decades of geological storage projects have demonstrated the safety and stability of this approach. Additionally, the belief that "CCS is too expensive" is inaccurate. Costs are declining as the technology scales, making CCS a more viable option for industries striving to achieve net-zero emissions. (Reporting by Anoop Menon; Editing by SA Kader)
Cision Canada
29-04-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Carbon Alpha Selects Mangrove as Digital MRV Solution for North Star Carbon Removal Project
Mangrove's solution will enable Carbon Alpha to track CO2 in real time and streamline the verification of carbon credits from the North Star project. CALGARY, AB, April 29, 2025 /CNW/ - Carbon Alpha, a Canadian carbon dioxide removal (CDR) project developer, has selected Mangrove Systems (Mangrove) as its digital monitoring, reporting, and verification (digital MRV) solution provider for its North Star carbon removal project. This strategic partnership brings together a leading biomass-based carbon removal initiative with a leading digital MRV solution to ensure transparency and trust in every ton of CO2 removed. North Star, a partnership between Carbon Alpha and Meadow Lake Tribal Council (MLTC), is a groundbreaking CDR initiative focused on biogenic carbon removal. The North Star project —the first-of-its-kind in Canada — will capture carbon dioxide from the MLTC Bioenergy Centre and store it deep underground in Saskatchewan's well defined geological formations. The project is designed as a Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) solution, converting sustainably sourced forestry waste into renewable energy and capturing the resulting biogenic CO2 for permanent storage. North Star is expected to generate approximately 90,000 high-quality carbon removal credits annually while providing local economic benefits and advancing Canada's net-zero goals. By integrating Mangrove's digital MRV solution into North Star's operations, Carbon Alpha will achieve real-time tracking of the entire carbon removal process – from biomass delivery and CO2 capture through to injection and storage. All data from field sensors, capture equipment, and storage sites will be consolidated into one secure system, providing a continuous, auditable record of carbon removal performance. This ensures complete, accurate, and verifiable CO2 removal data for every tonne captured, reinforcing Carbon Alpha's commitment to transparency and enabling efficient oversight by verification bodies and stakeholders. Mangrove's digital MRV solution is known for its robust capabilities in data management, automation, and reporting for carbon projects. The solution consolidates operational data across capture, transport, and storage, giving project developers a unified carbon system of record to drive key decisions on commercialization and compliance. By providing end-to-end traceability of each molecule of CO2, Mangrove's solution ensures complete visibility across the entire carbon removal process, fostering trust and confidence among stakeholders. Importantly, it also streamlines the carbon credit issuance process: the system can automatically compile the necessary reporting for independent validation and verification, and interface with carbon registries to accelerate credit issuance and serialization. For Carbon Alpha, this means the credits generated by North Star's removals can be issued more efficiently and with full confidence in their integrity. "This partnership marks a major step forward in our mission to deliver credible, measurable climate solutions," said Patrick Elliott, COO of Carbon Alpha. "By leveraging Mangrove's digital MRV solution, we can ensure that every tonne of CO2 we remove is accounted for with the highest degree of accuracy and transparency. Mangrove's solution gives us and our stakeholders confidence that North Star's carbon removal impact is real, permanent, and verifiable." "At Mangrove, we are thrilled to support innovative projects like North Star that push the boundaries of carbon removal," said Brandon Vlaar, CEO of Mangrove Systems. "Carbon Alpha's dedication to high-integrity carbon removal reflects the type of bold, scalable projects we aim to empower with our digital MRV technology. This collaboration demonstrates how digital MRV can underpin scalable carbon removal by providing the data integrity needed to engage partners, regulators, and credit buyers." For more information about North Star, please visit Interested in purchasing high-quality CDRs from this project? Contact [email protected]. About Carbon Alpha Carbon Alpha is a Canadian CDR developer dedicated to supplying carbon removal credits at scale. Founded in 2021 in Calgary, Carbon Alpha specializes in bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) projects, taking carbon removal initiatives from concept to credit generation. The company's integrated team of experts focuses on developing high-quality, scalable CDR projects that permanently remove CO2 from the atmosphere while delivering economic and environmental co-benefits. Carbon Alpha's flagship North Star project underscores its mission to create sustainable, community-driven carbon removal solutions that support climate targets and foster local development. For more information, visit: About Mangrove Systems SOURCE Mangrove Systems Inc.
Telegraph
25-04-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Government cannot be sure biomass is sustainable, senior MPs warn
The Government cannot be sure that burning wood pellets to generate energy is happening sustainably, senior MPs have warned. The public accounts committee said companies that generated power from biomass might be 'marking their own homework' on sustainability. Burning wood chips to generate electricity is classified as renewable power, and is seen by ministers as essential to achieving the UK's net zero goals. The wood must sustainably sourced and burned at facilities with carbon capture and storage technology, known as BECCS. But in a report published on Friday, the committee said the certification schemes that aim to ensure biomass has been sustainably sourced may not be strong enough. The committee said the Government has for too long relied on an untested approach to make sure biomass generators are meeting sustainability criteria when providing financial support. Current arrangements rely heavily on self-reporting and third-party schemes, it said. The group of MPs also argued that neither the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) nor regulator Ofgem know whether this is effective in ensuring the sustainability of biomass. The Government has provided £22 billion in public subsidies to businesses and households that use biomass, with £6.5 billion going to Drax, which runs the UK's biggest power station in Yorkshire. The sector has long faced accusations of burning wood from environmentally important or rare forests overseas. Concerns also remain over whether biomass can be genuinely considered a low-carbon fuel and if BECCS can effectively mitigate the emissions from burning wood at scale. On BECCS, the committee raised concerns about a lack of a contingency plan if the technology was no longer considered viable, urging DESNZ to outline alternative routes for achieving net carbon removals and what the future of biomass would be without carbon capture. Drax has come under scrutiny over its sustainability claims but a recent report by KPMG, the accountants, found the firm did not breach any rules. Because significant public concerns were raised in relation to the findings, the Public Accounts Committee called for the full report to be provided for parliamentary scrutiny. The group of MPs said they had also identified risks that a provisional new deal on Government subsidies for Drax might not provide good value for money. Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, chairman of the committee, said: 'Billions upon billions of government support has been provided to the biomass sector over the past two decades. 'Rather than taking it on faith that the woody biomass burnt for energy is a sustainably sourced low-carbon alternative fuel, it is long past time a true assay was made of what taxpayers are getting for their money.' He continued: 'In light of the continuing concerns raised around biomass highlighted by our written evidence, gaining full confidence around the sector's supply chains is work that must be carried out if Government is to truly satisfy itself that biomass is not a white elephant. 'We hope that Drax will agree with the need for parliamentary scrutiny of the findings of the review into its supply chain and reporting practices, and to supply this review to our committee. Samantha Smith, head of Heat And Biomass UK, said the trade body was 'deeply disappointed' by the report. She argued it overlooked the 'critical role that sustainable biomass plays today in providing baseload power and clean heat, supporting the UK's energy security and keeping bills down'. 'Independent certification schemes like the Sustainable Biomass Program are benchmarked by Ofgem and found to fully meet UK sustainability requirements, with similar findings by regulatory bodies in other jurisdictions such as the EU,' she added.
Western Telegraph
24-04-2025
- Business
- Western Telegraph
Biomass power generators could be ‘marking own homework on sustainability'
In a report published on Friday, MPs on the Public Accounts Committee said certification schemes, which aim to ensure biomass used in the UK has been sustainably sourced, may not be strong enough. Burning wood chips to generate electricity is classified as renewable power, and is seen by the Government as essential to achieving the UK's net zero goals provided the wood is sustainably sourced and combined with carbon capture and storage technology, known as BECCS. The Government has provided £22 billion in public subsidies to businesses and households that use biomass, with £6.5 billion going to Drax, which runs the UK's biggest power station in Yorkshire. The sector has long faced accusations of burning wood from environmentally important or rare forests overseas. Billions upon billions of government support has been provided to the biomass sector over the past two decades Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown Wider concerns also remain over whether biomass can be genuinely considered a low-carbon fuel and if BECCS can be effectively scaled to mitigate the emissions from burning wood. The Public Accounts Committee's report said the Government has for too long relied on an untested approach to make sure biomass generators are meeting sustainability criteria in return for receiving financial support. Current arrangements rely heavily on self-reporting and third-party schemes, it said. The group of MPs also argued that neither the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) nor regulator Ofgem know whether this is effective in ensuring the sustainability of biomass. On BECCS, the committee raised concerns about a lack of a contingency plan if the technology is no longer considered viable, urging DESNZ to outline alternative routes for achieving net carbon removals and what the future of biomass will be without carbon capture. It comes in light of BECCS's deployment being beset by delays, with the Government yet to settle on a target date for the UK's first plant to be operating with the technology. And while ministers committed in 2023 to strengthening sustainability rules, the committee said DESNZ has not made it clear how this will work in practice, and that the department acknowledged an increase in resources will be needed to monitor compliance. Drax has come under increasing scrutiny over its sustainability claims but a recent KPMG report found the firm did not breach any rules. Because significant public concerns were raised in relation to the findings, the Public Accounts Committee called for the full report to be provided to them for parliamentary scrutiny. The group of MPs said they had also identified risks that a provisional new deal on Government subsidies for Drax may not provide good value for money. In February, ministers announced fresh subsidies for Drax, saying they would halve costs for consumers and ensure all of its biomass comes from 100% sustainable sources. Current subsidies are due to expire in 2027 and ministers have announced the plant is 'important to delivering a secure, value-for-money power system' from then until 2031. But the report noted that under the provisional deal, Drax will still receive a higher unit price than many other renewable generators. It also called on DESNZ to consider how it can update the agreement to prompt Drax to begin transitioning to BECCS. Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, chairman of the committee, said: 'Billions upon billions of government support has been provided to the biomass sector over the past two decades. 'Rather than taking it on faith that the woody biomass burnt for energy is a sustainably sourced low-carbon alternative fuel, it is long past time a true assay was made of what taxpayers are getting for their money. 'In light of the continuing concerns raised around biomass highlighted by our written evidence, gaining full confidence around the sector's supply chains is work that must be carried out if government is to truly satisfy itself that biomass is not a white elephant. 'We hope that Drax will agree with the need for parliamentary scrutiny of the findings of the review into its supply chain and reporting practices, and to supply this review to our committee. Samantha Smith, head of trade body Heat And Biomass UK, said it was 'deeply disappointed' by the report. She argued it overlooks the 'critical role that sustainable biomass plays today in providing baseload power and clean heat, supporting the UK's energy security and keeping bills down'. 'Independent certification schemes like the Sustainable Biomass Programme are benchmarked by Ofgem and found to fully meet UK sustainability requirements, with similar findings by regulatory bodies in other jurisdictions such as the EU,' she added. A Drax spokesperson said: 'Drax's biomass is certified as sustainable through the Sustainable Biomass Programme (SBP), an internationally recognised certification scheme. Our regulator, Ofgem, has tested and benchmarked the SBP against the Government's sustainability requirements for woody biomass, alongside other programmes. 'The KPMG reports Drax commissioned have been subject to ongoing speculation and mischaracterisation. We provided these reports under legal privilege to the Government and Ofgem for them to scrutinise in depth. 'Following Ofgem's review, they publicly stated that they did not find evidence within the KPMG reports or any other of the thousands of documents we made available that meant Drax had breached sustainability obligations or was wrong to receive RO (Renewables Obligation) funding.'
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Fidelis' AtmosClear signs agreement with Microsoft for high-quality carbon removal from project in Louisiana
PORT OF GREATER BATON ROUGE, La., April 15, 2025 /CNW/ -- AtmosClear BR, LLC ("AtmosClear"), a portfolio company of Fidelis, announced that it has signed a contract with Microsoft for 6.75 million metric tons of engineered carbon removal over 15 years from bioenergy carbon capture & storage ("BECCS"). The deal is the world's largest for permanent carbon removal to date. AtmosClear is developing a carbon capture facility at the Port of Greater Baton Rouge in Louisiana. The plant will use sustainable materials like sugarcane bagasse and trimmings from prudent forest management to produce clean energy while capturing 680,000 metric tons of biogenic carbon dioxide per year for permanent storage or beneficial use, like as a feedstock for low-carbon natural gas or other synthetic fuels. Construction is planned to start in 2026 and commercial operations in 2029. Fidelis estimates that the project will result in over $800 million of investment and approximately 75 permanent and 600 construction jobs, while supporting a significant revival of forestry management jobs impacted by mill closures in the area. "This contract with Microsoft marks a transformative moment for the high-quality, engineered carbon removal market," said Daniel J. Shapiro, CEO of Fidelis. "AtmosClear showcases how proven technologies, paired with sustainable feedstocks like sugarcane bagasse and forest management materials, can deliver meaningful climate impact while providing quality jobs, economic development, and other community benefits. We are proud to build infrastructure in Baton Rouge, a place many of us at Fidelis have called home, that not only removes carbon from the atmosphere but also provides economic opportunity for Louisiana." "We are proud to work with Fidelis on this pathbreaking project, which will bring together science, engineering, and commercial innovations to offer a compelling model for carbon removal in the United States," said Brian Marrs, Senior Director of Energy & Carbon Removal at Microsoft. "High-quality, durable carbon removal solutions from experienced developers like Fidelis are vital for Microsoft in progressing its goal to become Carbon Negative by 2030." About AtmosClear. AtmosClear is developing a carbon capture facility at the Port of Greater Baton Rouge in Louisiana. The plant will use sustainable materials like sugarcane bagasse and trimmings from prudent forest management to produce clean energy while capturing 680,000 metric tons of biogenic carbon dioxide per year for permanent storage or beneficial use, like as a feedstock for low-carbon natural gas or other synthetic fuels. Learn more at About Fidelis. Fidelis is an energy infrastructure company driving decarbonization through development and investments in biofuels, low- or negative-carbon intensity products, and carbon capture & storage companies. Fidelis employs a growing portfolio of proprietary, patented, and patent-pending technologies to address climate and energy security challenges. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Fidelis also has an office in Copenhagen, Denmark. Learn more at Media Contacts: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Fidelis New Energy, LLC View original content to download multimedia: Sign in to access your portfolio
