Can carbon capture ACTUALLY work?

Summary

The video explores carbon capture technology, highlighting its potential in combating climate change. It traces the origins of carbon capture back to the US Navy's use in submarines and space shuttles. Modern applications include industrial plants in India that capture CO2 and convert it into useful products. The script discusses two main methods: point source capture at pollution sources and direct air capture. It emphasizes the need for government incentives to scale up this technology, which is currently costly. The video also raises concerns about the involvement of oil companies in carbon capture, as it can be used to extract more oil, potentially prolonging fossil fuel dependency.

Takeaways

• 🌿 **Carbon Capture Technology**: The script discusses the importance of carbon capture technology, which is essential for meeting climate targets and slowing down climate change.
• 🚀 **Historical Roots**: The concept of carbon capture is not new; it originated from the US Navy's use of CO2 scrubbers in submarines and space shuttles.
• 🌍 **Global Implementation**: There are currently hundreds of pilot projects and over 50 large-scale plants worldwide engaged in carbon capture, with more potential for growth.
• 🌱 **Point Source Capture**: Carbon can be captured directly at the source of pollution, such as coal-burning factories, and then utilized or stored.
• 🌬️ **Direct Air Capture**: This method involves using large fans to draw in air and capture CO2, with 15 plants currently operational globally.
• 🔄 **Carbon Utilization**: Captured CO2 can be repurposed for various uses, including the production of soda ash, heating greenhouses, or even as a fuel.
• 💸 **Economic Incentives**: The scaling of carbon capture technology requires financial incentives, such as government credits or a market for trading captured CO2.
• 🇳🇴 **Norwegian Tax Model**: Norway's pollution tax has successfully incentivized companies to capture carbon, demonstrating a viable economic model.
• ⛽ **Oil Industry Connection**: Ironically, many carbon capture and sequestration companies collaborate with oil companies, which can use the captured CO2 for enhanced oil recovery.
• 🌱 **Trees vs. Tech**: While trees are natural carbon suckers, they are limited by space, water needs, and the risk of being cut down, making technological solutions more scalable.
• 🔮 **Future Outlook**: Experts are optimistic about the future of carbon capture, with predictions of significant cost reductions and increased removal rates by 2030.

Q & A

What is the current issue with carbon dioxide emissions?

We are currently pumping too much carbon dioxide into the air, which contributes to climate change.

How does carbon capture technology work on a large scale?

Modern carbon capture technology works like a large-scale CO2 scrubber. Polluted air is sucked into an industrial system, cleaned, and the CO2 is absorbed by a liquid solvent, processed, and either used to make products or stored.

What is the purpose of the CO2 scrubber used in submarines and space shuttles?

The CO2 scrubber in submarines and space shuttles is used to clear the air inside by removing CO2 from the breath of soldiers and astronauts to prevent toxic levels from building up.

What is the concept of 'point source capture' in carbon capture?

Point source capture refers to the process of capturing CO2 right at the source of pollution, such as a factory that burns coal, and diverting it to an adjoining facility for use or storage.

How does direct air capture differ from point source capture?

Direct air capture involves using large fans to suck large amounts of polluted air directly out of the atmosphere, as opposed to capturing CO2 at the source of emissions.

Why is carbon capture considered 'carbon neutral' even if CO2 is emitted again?

Carbon capture is considered 'carbon neutral' because the CO2 captured and later emitted has not added to the CO2 that would have entered the air from other sources.

What is the difference between 'carbon neutral' and 'carbon negative'?

Carbon neutral refers to processes that do not add to the CO2 in the atmosphere, while carbon negative refers to processes that actively remove CO2 from the atmosphere, such as sequestration.

Why is it important to start removing CO2 from the atmosphere now according to Julio Friedmann?

Julio Friedmann, an expert on carbon capture, emphasizes the need to start removing CO2 now because in the next 30 years, we have to start removing about 10 billion tons of CO2 every year to meet climate targets.

What are the financial incentives needed to scale up the carbon capture industry?

To scale up the carbon capture industry, financial incentives such as government credits for CO2 removal, trading captured CO2 at a good market price, and taxing polluters are needed.

Why are big oil companies involved in carbon capture and sequestration?

Big oil companies are involved because they own assets like old oil fields that are ideal for storing CO2. Additionally, sequestration can increase pressure in the ground, making it easier to extract more oil through a process called enhanced oil recovery.

What are the concerns regarding the role of big oil companies in carbon capture?

The concern is that fossil fuel companies can continue to emit CO2, and carbon capture might only address a fraction of their pollution. This could extend the life of fossil fuels and delay the transition to cleaner energy sources.

What is the role of public support and government incentives in advancing carbon capture technology?

Public support and government incentives are crucial for advancing carbon capture technology by ensuring a combination of incentives for non-oil companies, taxing polluters, and pricing CO2 higher, which can help drive innovation and adoption.

Outlines

00:00

🌿 Carbon Capture Technology: Reviving an Old Idea

The paragraph introduces the concept of carbon capture technology, which aims to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide levels by capturing and storing it underground. It highlights the urgency of climate scientists who believe that without such technology, we cannot achieve our climate goals. The origins of carbon capture are traced back to its use by the US Navy in submarines and space shuttles to maintain air quality. Modern applications involve large-scale plants that use fans to draw in polluted air, which is then cleaned by a liquid solvent that absorbs CO2. This CO2 can be repurposed for various uses, including as a fuel. The paragraph also discusses two main methods of carbon capture: point source capture at pollution sources and direct air capture from the atmosphere. The technology is considered 'carbon neutral' if the CO2 is reused, but 'carbon negative' when it is sequestered underground, actively removing carbon from the atmosphere.

05:00

💸 The Economics and Challenges of Carbon Capture

This paragraph delves into the financial and logistical challenges of scaling up carbon capture technology. It notes the high costs associated with Direct Air Capture, which currently stands at over $200 per ton of CO2 removed. The industry's growth is hindered by the need for better financial incentives, such as government credits for carbon removal or a market where captured CO2 can be traded at a profitable price. The paragraph also discusses the role of taxes on polluting companies as a potential incentive. Norway's success with a pollution tax is highlighted, along with the safe and virtually limitless potential of underground sequestration. However, the paragraph points out the paradoxical relationship between carbon capture companies and big oil companies, which are often the storage sites for captured CO2 and benefit from enhanced oil recovery. The paragraph concludes with a call for a balanced approach to carbon capture, emphasizing the need for public support and government incentives to ensure the technology is used responsibly and effectively.

Keywords

💡Carbon Dioxide

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a greenhouse gas that is released into the atmosphere through various human activities, primarily the burning of fossil fuels. In the context of the video, it is the primary focus of carbon capture technology, as it discusses methods to remove CO2 from the air to mitigate climate change. The video mentions that 'We know we’re currently pumping too much carbon dioxide into the air', highlighting the urgency of addressing CO2 emissions.

💡Carbon Capture

Carbon capture refers to the process of capturing carbon dioxide emissions from the air or directly from large point sources like fossil fuel power plants. The video explains that modern carbon capture technology is an extension of older methods used by the US Navy to clear CO2 from submarines and space shuttles. It is depicted as a crucial technology for achieving climate targets, with the script stating 'Climate scientists are now saying that without such technology, we won’t hit our climate targets'.

💡Direct Air Capture

Direct Air Capture (DAC) is a process that involves using large fans to draw in air and capture CO2 directly from the atmosphere. The video discusses DAC as a method that has the 'potential is huge' and is currently being implemented by 15 plants worldwide. It is presented as a way to actively remove carbon from the atmosphere, which is essential for reaching 'carbon negative' status.

💡Sequestration

Sequestration in the context of the video refers to the process of injecting and storing captured carbon dioxide deep underground, preventing it from re-entering the atmosphere. The script mentions that 'companies are now working to inject carbon deep into the ground', which is considered 'carbon negative' as it actively removes carbon from the atmosphere.

💡Carbon Neutral

The term 'carbon neutral' is used in the video to describe a state where the net amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere is balanced by an equivalent amount being captured or offset. The script explains that even if CO2 is emitted again, 'it is considered 'carbon neutral' as it hasn’t added to the CO2 that would have entered the air anyway', such as when CO2 is used to make products or as a fuel.

💡Point Source Capture

Point source capture is a method of capturing CO2 at the direct source of emission, such as a coal-burning power plant. The video uses the example of an Indian factory where 'they burn coal, and strip the CO2 out of the emitted smoke', diverting it to an adjoining soda ash factory. This method is part of the broader strategy to reduce atmospheric CO2 levels.

💡Enhanced Oil Recovery

Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) is a process where CO2 is injected into old oil wells to increase pressure and extract more oil. The video points out the paradoxical relationship between carbon capture and the oil industry, stating that 'up to 88% of carbon captured and sequestered at the moment, is used to extract more oil'. This practice makes carbon capture financially viable for oil companies but also extends their operational lifespan.

💡Carbon Credits

Carbon credits are financial instruments that allow companies to offset their carbon emissions by investing in projects that reduce or remove CO2 from the atmosphere. The video suggests that 'credits offered by the government in exchange for removing the harmful substance from the air' could be one way to incentivize the scaling of carbon capture technologies.

💡Carbon Pricing

Carbon pricing is a market-based approach to addressing climate change by assigning a price to carbon emissions, either through a carbon tax or a cap-and-trade system. The video implies the need for carbon pricing as a policy tool, stating that 'taxing companies that allow their carbon dioxide fumes to escape' could provide the necessary financial incentives for companies to adopt carbon capture technologies.

💡Climate Change Mitigation

Climate change mitigation refers to actions taken to reduce or prevent emission of greenhouse gases, such as CO2, to slow down global warming. The video emphasizes the importance of carbon capture as a mitigation strategy, with the IPCC report cited in the script asserting that 'the world will not meet its climate target without active carbon capture and removal'.

Highlights

The concept of carbon capture and storage is crucial for meeting climate targets, as highlighted by climate scientists.

Carbon capture technology, though modern, has its roots in the US Navy's use for clearing CO2 from submarines and space shuttles.

Modern carbon capture operates on a large scale, similar to the CO2 scrubbers used in spacecraft, with industrial applications in plants like the one in South India.

The process of carbon capture involves drawing polluted air through fans, cleaning it, and using a liquid solvent to absorb CO2 before releasing clean air.

CO2 captured can be repurposed to make products like soda ash, used to heat greenhouses, or even as a fuel, showcasing its versatility.

Point source capture is a method where CO2 is captured directly at the source of pollution, such as coal-burning factories.

Direct air capture involves large fans that draw in atmospheric CO2, with 15 plants currently operational worldwide.

Carbon capture is considered 'carbon neutral' as it recycles CO2 that would have otherwise been emitted.

Sequestration, or injecting carbon deep underground, is a 'carbon negative' process that actively removes carbon from the atmosphere.

The IPCC report emphasizes the necessity of active carbon capture and removal to achieve global climate targets.

Trees, as natural carbon suckers, can only play a limited role due to space, water requirements, and the risk of deforestation.

Direct Air Capture machines are being developed as technological counterparts to trees, with significant potential for scaling.

Carbon Engineering aims to launch a commercial plant capable of removing one million tons of CO2 annually, a massive goal in the industry.

The cost of Direct Air Capture is currently over $200 per ton of CO2, necessitating better financial incentives for industry growth.

Government policies, such as carbon credits and taxes on emissions, are crucial for providing the necessary financial incentives.

Norway's success with a pollution tax demonstrates how incentives can drive companies towards carbon neutrality.

Sequestration's long-term safety and the vast underground space available make it a promising solution for carbon storage.

The collaboration between carbon capture companies and big oil companies for sequestration raises environmental concerns.

Enhanced oil recovery, a process where captured CO2 is used to extract more oil, is a financially viable but controversial application.

Public support and government incentives are essential to steer carbon capture technology away from fossil fuel interests.

Carbon capture is necessary but not sufficient; reducing emissions at the source remains a priority for combating climate change.

Transcripts

We know we’re currently pumping too  much carbon dioxide into the air.

But wouldn’t it be amazing if we  could find a way to suck it all up  

and send it back deep underground?

Effectively it’s a solution that works.

I think, things are moving much more  quickly than people expected.

Climate scientists are now saying that without  such technology, we won’t hit our climate targets.

Can this actually work?!

And why is the money for this coming from  the most unlikely source -

big oil companies?

So where did this crazy idea come from?

Turns out, this seemingly cutting edge idea  to capture carbon is actually decades old!  

The US Navy used capture as a way to clear the air inside submarines and space shuttles,  

that filled up with CO2 from the  breath of soldiers and astronauts.

"You may remember that scene from the movie Apollo 13,

where suddenly they had to build a CO2 scrubbing system."

"Those CO2 levels are gonna be getting toxic.

Well, I suggest you, gentlemen, invent a way to put a square peg in a round hole."

"And they dumped all  this stuff out on the table and said, guys,  

we have three hours to figure out how to make  a CO2 scrubber. They had the technology  

already on the spacecraft. We know how to do these things."

Modern carbon capture technology is basically this  

CO2 scrubber on a bigger scale -  like this plant in South India.

First, the polluted air is sucked into the  industrial system through internal fans.

After being cleaned for impurities, it is  transported towards the absorption plant. Where it is  

cooled and then sent through a liquid solvent that  absorbs CO2, which is then moved further into the  

plant for processing, while the clean air, which  is mostly only water vapour is now released.

The CO2 is later stripped out of  the solvent and can be used to make other  

products – like soda ash. Or it is used to  heat greenhouses or even as a fuel.

You can capture CO2 right at the source of the  pollution – like the Indian factory – where they  

burn coal, and strip the CO2 out of the emitted  smoke, and divert it to the adjoining soda ash factory.

This is called point source capture.

Hundreds of pilots and small-scale facilities,

and over 50 large-scale plants around

the world are currently doing this.

Then there is direct air capture, where big fans

suck large amounts of polluted air directly out of the atmosphere.

15 plants are currently doing this  worldwide - but experts say the potential is huge.

Even if the CO2 is emitted again, like when the  fuel is burned, it is considered 'carbon neutral',  

as it hasn’t added to the CO2 that  would have entered the air anyway.

The better thing to do for the environment,  of course, is to prevent emissions from ever  

entering the air – so companies are now working  to inject carbon deep into the ground –

in a process called sequestration – that can preserve it there indefinitely.

This is considered "carbon negative", as it  actively removes carbon from the atmosphere.

And this also has pretty ironic  consequences. But more on that later.

"We know from the arithmetic of climate that  we need all of these things and we need as  

much of them all as we can get. In the next  30 years, we have to start removing about 10  

billion tons of CO2 every year."

Julio Friedmann is one of the  foremost experts on carbon capture,  

who served in the US Department of Energy. He  says massive CO2 removal needs to start now.

And the leading climate body, the IPCC agrees.  In their latest report, they declare that the  

world will not meet its climate target without active carbon capture and removal.

The original carbon suckers, aka trees,  

can play a role. But considering the space and  water needed – and the fact that they are always  

at the risk of being cut down anyway – experts  believe they can only play a fractional role.

So with the focus is now on the tech  version of trees – Direct Air Capture  

machines – that are springing up around  the developed world.

Canadian Company Carbon Engineering plans to launch the  biggest commercial capture plant in 2022.

"We're building a plant capable of removing  

one million tons of carbon dioxide

from the atmosphere each year.

Currently direct air capture companies worldwide

capture 9000 tons of CO2 per year, so  Carbon Engineering’s goals are massive.

Effectively, it's a solution that works  with different technologies available,  

but it's a question of can we scale the market  right now? And I think that brings me back to what  

Carbon Engineering's focus is at the moment,  which is making it possible to have policy incentives."

And that’s the reason not everybody is already  sucking carbon out of the air all over the world.

Estimates vary, but at the moment it costs over  $200 to remove a ton of CO2 through Direct Air Capture.

To scale up the industry, companies say  there need to be better financial incentives.

These can come either in the form  of credits offered by the  

government in exchange for removing  the harmful substance from the air.

Or when captured CO2 can be traded  at a good price on the market.

Plus: it could also come from taxing companies  that allow their carbon dioxide fumes to escape.

And there is place where a combination  of these measures has worked.

Norway introduced a tax on  pollution almost 30 years ago,  

which has now incentivized a number of large  companies to capture their carbon,  

setting them on a quick path  towards carbon neutrality.

Sequestration has also been carried out  and monitored in Iceland for over 20 years,

allowing experts to conclude that  the process is safe for all practical purposes.

And the space available  underground is virtually limitless.

Other companies in Europe, as well  as Canada and the US are catching up.

But it’s early days.

And this brings us to the not so  climate-friendly consequences of sequestration.

In the absence of large incentives from  governments, all capture and sequestration  

companies are collaborating with – paradoxically –  

big oil companies.

"What do you need for sequestration, you need  somewhere that you can store the carbon dioxide,  

and one of the best places to store that, is old oil  fields and where the owners of those assets  

can be oil and gas companies. Well, that's a  very strategic route for them to go down

to use their existing assets."

At the same time: putting the captured CO2  into the ground builds up pressure and makes  

it easier for even more oil to be extracted  – in a process called enhanced oil recovery.

Up to 88% of carbon captured and sequestered  at the moment, is used to extract  

more oil. And this makes investing in carbon capture  financially viable for these oil companies.

"I certainly worry about the big  oil role in carbon capture."

Dan Kammen is an expert on clean energy,  

who has spoken out about the big  problems with this kind of model.

Fossil fuel companies can continue to emit, and  we just suck up some of their pollution and waste.  

There are many other problems with the fossil fuel  industry. In addition to greenhouse gases, there  

is local air pollution, there's water pollution,  there's environmental injustice. So finding a way  

to extend the life of fossil fuel is essentially  finding a way to continue poisoning the planet.

The science is clear in that we need

to actively remove carbon from the air.

But, without broad public support or

government incentives, these technologies remain

in the hands of private investors – who will only go where the profits are.

To keep the technology going, we need to  ensure a clever combination of incentives  

for non-oil companies, taxing  polluters, and pricing CO2 higher.

"I am optimistic. I think that in 2030  we will see something in the order of 10  

to 50 million tons a year of removal and the  cost will be below a hundred dollars a ton.

I know that we can get there, and I hope we will."

So carbon capture does work, and we  will need it to slow down the rate of climate change.

But it’s not the silver bullet. Our priority still needs to  be polluting much less in the first place.

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