The goal of decarbonization is to reduce or eliminate carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, as well as other pollutants, from the energy grid. However, that will not occur overnight. Renewable energy sources such as hydrogen, wind, and solar are still a long way away from being the predominant source of energy. Whether you like it or not, our economy will continue to rely on fossil fuels as it builds towards a greener future. So, what do we do in the meantime? Carbon capture offers the potential to dramatically reduce CO2 emissions from large stationary sources. It comes in many practical forms too. CO2 pipelines, geologic sequestration wells, direct air capture, forestry, and even aquaculture are just some of the methods used to sequester CO2. This market potential has not gone unnoticed. The 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill earmarked billions of dollars towards the development of carbon capture projects. Exxon Mobil Corp., Royal Dutch Shell, and TC Energy have all announced major carbon capture projects as part of a drive to reduce both their own and their customers’ emissions. Exxon is even forecasting that carbon capture could become a $2 trillion market by 2040. However, some critics think that carbon capture is too expensive. Others think that is just a way for fossil fuel companies to keep operating without actually changing the way they do business.
The goal of decarbonization is to reduce or eliminate carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, as well as other pollutants, from the energy grid. However, that will not occur overnight. Renewable energy sources such as hydrogen, wind, and solar are still a long way away from being the predominant source of energy. Whether you like it or not, our economy will continue to rely on fossil fuels as it builds towards a greener future. So, what do we do in the meantime? Carbon capture offers the potential to dramatically reduce CO2 emissions from large stationary sources. It comes in many practical forms too. CO2 pipelines, geologic sequestration wells, direct air capture, forestry, and even aquaculture are just some of the methods used to sequester CO2. This market potential has not gone unnoticed. The 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill earmarked billions of dollars towards the development of carbon capture projects. Exxon Mobil Corp., Royal Dutch Shell, and TC Energy have all announced major carbon capture projects as part of a drive to reduce both their own and their customers’ emissions. Exxon is even forecasting that carbon capture could become a $2 trillion market by 2040. However, some critics think that carbon capture is too expensive. Others think that is just a way for fossil fuel companies to keep operating without actually changing the way they do business.