Carbon capture and storage: How can it help?

CCS is a suite of technologies that can separate out CO₂ at industrial sources or directly from the atmosphere. That ability can help change the trajectory of the world’s annual CO₂ output.

The industrial sector – which makes the cement, steel and chemicals that create the foundation for modern life – accounts for 25% of all energy-related and process CO₂ emissions. And, due to the scale and investment needed, tackling industrial emissions has proven to be one of the biggest challenges in addressing climate change.

But the work that ExxonMobil and others are pursuing today could help make industrial solutions a reality – with an approach that includes advancing various pathways within the CCS family of technologies.

To better understand the challenges and possible solutions, here are some key elements to CCS and how it could help decarbonize our future.

The idea of CCS is simple enough, despite the sophisticated, cutting-edge technology it requires. But merely capturing and storing CO₂ is only part of the process – it also involves scaling an infrastructure around places like industrial hubs, much like what ExxonMobil and other companies are pursuing in Houston.

Here’s a look at how CCS works:

There’s a growing push to deploy CCS around the world in an effort to decarbonize heavy-emitting industrial facilities. The ongoing work to scale CCS solutions at these massive facilities is instrumental in meeting the world’s climate change goals.

Here’s a look at why decarbonization is essential for that work:

Once deployed, what does CCS mean for how the world gets the energy it needs?

Put simply, CCS installation at industrial sites – such as a refinery or cement plant – would enable the facility to continue producing the material needed for transportation, construction and infrastructure upgrades around the world, but without the majority of emissions we see today.

By capturing that CO₂  before it reaches the atmosphere, industry can continue to produce the essential products society needs for daily life, while reducing its environmental footprint.

Here’s what a decarbonized world could look like:

While the capturing of CO₂ requires complex analysis and technology, that is just the start of the process. Once in hand, those molecules need to be transported and stored safely – a process that requires that same dedication and innovation.

A thorough understanding of the geology that forms the natural reservoirs below the earth and under the sea is needed to find the correct storage site. In order to safely and securely store those emissions, researchers at ExxonMobil apply their expertise based on decades of working with geologic formations.

Capturing and storing CO₂ molecules remains a critical component to reaching Paris Agreement goals and provides various pathways to help decarbonize our world and energy use.