Capturing Carbon, Creating Solutions

As we move another year closer to mid-century emission reduction goals, we have seen carbon management efforts make remarkable progress. From 2021 to 2022, there was a 44% increase in the number of CCS projects established globally, bringing the total number of projects to 196 according to the Global CCS Institute. This growth paired with the regulatory provisions featured in the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law creates a favorable space for CCUS in the energy transition. While fully acknowledging the progress that’s been made, it’s critical to note that continued innovation, investment and policy advancements are needed to optimize CCS and further mitigate climate change. This issue of Carbon Capture Magazine includes just a few of the efforts that continue to pave the way for carbon reduction, while also benefiting the communities that surround them.

Recently, hydrogen has become a critical component in many renewable energy and energy transition projects. A new project named the Battle River Carbon Hub, featured on page 6, focuses specifically on hydrogen as a next-generation fuel source. The Battle River Generating Station was once a veteran coal plant located in Alberta, but has since converted to natural gas. The Station’s current owner, Heartland Generation, is now developing a hydrogen production facility with an open-access carbon capture and sequestration hub to enhance the operations of the unit. Through low-carbon hydrogen production and CCS, the BRCH project is pioneering large-scale renewable technology while creating a cleaner community with greater economic potential.

Not all industrial sites have taken the steps that the BRCH project has to decarbonize operations. Fortunately, the company, Endrava, has developed a tool to help CCUS solution companies find the emitting facilities that best fit their technology.  CaptureMap is a database, built by Endrava, which includes data from more than 15,000 industrial facilities across the globe. For more information on how Endrava acquires data and is enabling future CCUS projects, please see page 10.

There are countless technical aspects of a project that need to be tested and reviewed before receiving the green light. One aspect of a project that is often overlooked in its early days is education and public outreach. The Carbon Action Alliance was created by the Great Plains Institute to promote accurate messaging and engagement in the carbon management sector. Starting on page 14, this article covers the Alliance’s mission and the common misconceptions that it regularly addresses.

Of all the CCUS projects currently operational or in development, very few are as uniquely positioned as projects in North Dakota. With an extensive history in energy and agriculture, loads of geologic potential, and a lofty carbon-neutral goal, North Dakota has been and continues to be a leader in the CCUS space. The Energy and Environmental Research Center profiles North Dakota’s rich industry history on page 18.

Similar to last year, the back half of this issue contains the Carbon Capture & Storage Industry Directory. It is our hope that this directory provides you with the contacts necessary to develop your business as we all work together to capture carbon and create solutions to reduce carbon emissions.

(Printed in Issue 1, 2022 of Carbon Capture Magazine, View Carbon Capture & Storage Directory)