Current Scenario

In 2021, global CO2 emissions were estimated at 37 billion metric tons, with India contributing approximately 2.88 billion metric tons, making it the third-largest emitter globally. India's heavy reliance on coal for power generation and its burgeoning industrial sector underscore the urgent need for effective CO2 capture and storage (CCS) strategies.

Key Statistics

• Global CO2 Emissions: 36.3 billion metric tons annually, with India contributing 2.88 billion metric tons.
• Current CCS Capacity: Fewer than 50 large-scale carbon capture plants worldwide, capturing approximately 40 million tons of CO2 annually.
• Projected Growth: CCS capacity needs to increase dramatically to meet climate targets, with projections suggesting the need to capture and store up to 5-10 billion tons of CO2 annually by 2050.

Challenges

• High Costs: Direct air capture (DAC) can cost up to $500 per ton of CO2, while capture at power plants can cost around $50 per ton.
• Technological Maturity: Many carbon capture technologies are still in the early stages of development and require substantial investment to scale.
• Regulatory Support: Effective regulatory frameworks and incentives are essential to drive the adoption of carbon capture technologies.

Key Technology

Carbon Capture at Power Plants

• Post-Combustion Capture: Technologies that capture CO2 after fossil fuels are burned. These include chemical solvents, physical sorbents, and membranes.
• Pre-Combustion Capture: Techniques that capture CO2 before fossil fuels are burned, typically through gasification processes.

Direct Air Capture (DAC)

• Solid Sorbents: Using solid materials that selectively capture CO2 from the air. Companies like Carbon Engineering and Climeworks are pioneers in this field.
• Liquid Absorbents: Solutions that capture CO2 using liquid chemicals. These systems can be integrated with renewable energy sources to enhance sustainability.

Microbe-Based CO2 Capture

• Biological Systems: Utilizing microorganisms such as algae and bacteria to capture CO2 through natural processes. This approach can be integrated with wastewater treatment and biofuel production.

Innovations in Capture Materials

• Advanced Sorbents: Developing new materials with higher CO2 absorption capacities and lower regeneration costs.
• Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs): Porous materials that can selectively capture and store CO2 at a molecular level.

CO2 Capture through Biomass

• Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS): Combining biomass energy production with carbon capture and storage to achieve negative emissions.

Case Studies

• NTPC’s Carbon Capture Pilot Project: NTPC, India’s largest power utility, has initiated a pilot project to capture CO2 from its coal-fired power plants. This project aims to demonstrate the feasibility of large-scale carbon capture and storage in India.
• Indian Oil Corporation’s Algae-Based CO2 Capture: Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) is exploring the use of algae for CO2 capture from its refineries. The captured CO2 can be used for biofuel production, creating a circular carbon economy.
• Climeworks’ Direct Air Capture Technology: Although not based in India, Climeworks' direct air capture technology serves as an example of how DAC can be implemented. The company’s facilities in Europe capture CO2 directly from the atmosphere, demonstrating the potential for global adoption.