The Realistic Future Of Carbon Capture: Pure Streams, Right Locations, Smart Uses - CleanTechnica

The article from CleanTechnica emphasizes that carbon capture and storage (CCS) is not a universal solution to climate change but can be effective under specific conditions. The key to successful CCS lies in capturing CO2 from high-purity streams generated by certain industrial processes, such as ethanol fermentation, steam methane reforming in ammonia production, lime and cement kilns, biogas upgrading, and direct iron reduction using biomethane. These processes produce concentrated CO2 streams that are easier and more cost-effective to capture compared to dilute flue gases, which require significant energy and expense to separate CO2 from inert gases. Location is critical for CCS viability, with the most practical projects situated near suitable geological storage sites or coastal facilities with short pipeline routes to offshore storage. Large, complex CO2 transport networks are economically and logistically challenging, making proximity to storage a major factor in project success. Additionally, policy frameworks that assign real value to carbon abatement—through carbon pricing, credits, or targeted support—are