LEA-世界能源技术展望2020—CCUS（碳捕获、利用与封存）（英文）-2020.10-174页_13mb

Energy Technology Perspectives 2020: CCUS in Clean Energy Transitions

Core Content

The International Energy Agency (IEA) highlights the critical role of Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) in achieving global net-zero emissions by 2070. CCUS is presented as a unique technology that both reduces emissions directly and removes CO₂ to balance unavoidable emissions, making it essential for the clean energy transition.

Main Points

• CCUS is a key technology for transitioning to a sustainable energy system. It is the only group of technologies that can directly reduce emissions in key sectors and remove CO₂ to achieve net-zero targets.
• Global CCUS momentum is growing, with over 30 commercial projects announced in the last three years. These projects are expected to significantly increase global CO₂ capture capacity, which is currently around 40 million tonnes annually.
• The United States and Norway are leading in CCUS development. The U.S. has used the 45Q tax credits to promote CCUS, while Norway is investing in the Longship project, which connects CO₂ capture plants with the Northern Lights storage facility.
• CCUS can be retrofitted to existing fossil fuel-based power and industrial plants, potentially capturing 600 billion tonnes of CO₂ over the next five decades.
• CCUS supports low-carbon hydrogen production, which is a crucial component of future energy systems. In the Sustainable Development Scenario (SDS), global hydrogen use is projected to increase sevenfold by 2070, with 40% of low-carbon hydrogen production relying on fossil fuels with CCUS.
• CCUS is vital for hard-to-abate sectors such as heavy industry, cement, and chemicals. It is the most cost-effective method in many regions for reducing emissions from these sectors.
• CCUS can contribute to synthetic fuel production, especially for aviation, by using captured CO₂ as a feedstock.
• CCUS is essential for carbon removal in scenarios where emissions cannot be fully avoided. It plays a role in direct air capture (DAC) and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) technologies.
• Economic recovery plans should include CCUS to ensure the global climate goals are not derailed by the pandemic. The IEA reports that CCUS has a stronger position in sustainable recovery than after the 2008-09 financial crisis.
• CCUS deployment requires collaboration, both internationally and between governments and industry. Policy support, investment, and innovation are key to scaling up CCUS.

Key Information

• CCUS projects: As of 2020, there are only around 20 commercial CCUS operations globally, but this number is expected to grow significantly.
• Investment potential: Projects nearing final investment decisions represent an estimated USD 27 billion in potential investment, double the 2017 level.
• SDS scenario: In the IEA's Sustainable Development Scenario, CO₂ emissions from the energy sector are projected to reach net-zero by 2070. CCUS is expected to capture 60% of CO₂ from fossil fuels and the remaining 40% from industrial processes, bioenergy, and air.
• Hydrogen production: By 2070, low-carbon hydrogen production in the SDS is projected to reach 520 megatonnes (Mt), with 3300 GW of electrolyzers supporting growth. CCUS-equipped hydrogen facilities already produce 0.4 Mt of hydrogen, three times more than electrolyzers.
• Policy and funding: The IEA emphasizes that markets alone cannot drive CCUS success, and governments must provide supportive policies and incentives. Examples include the U.S. 45Q tax credits and Norway's funding for the Longship project.
• Technology innovation: The report outlines the need for continued innovation in CO₂ capture, transport, utilisation, and storage. It also highlights the importance of cost reduction and scaling up technology readiness levels.
• Regional opportunities: CCUS is being developed in various regions, including the U.S., Europe, and China, with specific infrastructure and policy frameworks in place to support its growth.

Summary of CCUS Roles

• Tackling existing emissions: CCUS can be retrofitted to reduce emissions from fossil fuel-based power and industrial plants.
• Hard-to-abate sectors: CCUS is critical for deep emissions reductions in heavy industry, cement, and chemicals.
• Low-carbon hydrogen: CCUS supports the production of low-carbon hydrogen, especially in regions with access to low-cost fossil fuels and CO₂ storage.
• Carbon removal: CCUS is a key technology for removing CO₂ from the atmosphere, particularly through DAC and BECCS.

Conclusion

CCUS is indispensable for achieving global net-zero emissions. It requires strong policy support, investment, and international cooperation to scale up. The IEA calls for action to accelerate its deployment, especially in the next decade, to ensure it becomes a major success in the clean energy transition.