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Near-term deployment of carbon capture and sequestration from biorefineries in the United States.
- Source :
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America; 5/8/2018, Vol. 115 Issue 19, p4875-4880, 6p
- Publication Year :
- 2018
-
Abstract
- Capture and permanent geologic sequestration of biogenic CO<subscript>2</subscript> emissions may provide critical flexibility in ambitious climate change mitigation. However, most bioenergy with carbon capture and sequestration (BECCS) technologies are technically immature or commercially unavailable. Here, we evaluate low-cost, commercially ready CO<subscript>2</subscript> capture opportunities for existing ethanol biorefineries in the United States. The analysis combines process engineering, spatial optimization, and lifecycle assessment to consider the technical, economic, and institutional feasibility of near-term carbon capture and sequestration (CCS). Our modeling framework evaluates least cost source-sink relationships and aggregation opportunities for pipeline transport, which can cost-effectively transport small CO<subscript>2</subscript> volumes to suitable sequestration sites; 216 existing US biorefineries emit 45 Mt CO<subscript>2</subscript> annually from fermentation, of which 60% could be captured and compressed for pipeline transport for under $25/tCO<subscript>2</subscript>. A sequestration credit, analogous to existing CCS tax credits, of $60/tCO<subscript>2</subscript> could incent 30 Mt of sequestration and 6,900 km of pipeline infrastructure across the United States. Similarly, a carbon abatement credit, analogous to existing tradeable CO<subscript>2</subscript> credits, of $90/tCO<subscript>2</subscript> can incent 38 Mt of abatement. Aggregation of CO<subscript>2</subscript> sources enables cost-effective long-distance pipeline transport to distant sequestration sites. Financial incentives under the low-carbon fuel standard in California and recent revisions to existing federal tax credits suggest a substantial near-term opportunity to permanently sequester biogenic CO<subscript>2</subscript>. This financial opportunity could catalyze the growth of carbon capture, transport, and sequestration; improve the lifecycle impacts of conventional biofuels; support development of carbon-negative fuels; and help fulfill the mandates of low-carbon fuel policies across the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00278424
- Volume :
- 115
- Issue :
- 19
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 129562732
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1719695115