What is meant by carbon capture and storage?

• Carbon capture and storage (CCS) refers to technologies that can capture carbon dioxide (CO₂) at a source of emissions before it is released into the atmosphere. 
• These sources include the fossil fuel industry (where coal, oil and gas are combusted to generate power) and industrial processes like steel and cement production.
• Process involved
  • Capture: CO2 is captured at its source, typically from industrial facilities or power plants, before it is released into the atmosphere. 
  • Transportation: The captured CO2 is then transported, often by pipelines, to a suitable storage site.
  • Storage: The final step involves injecting the CO2 into geological formations such as depleted oil and gas fields or deep saline aquifers. 

Benefits of CCS

• By capturing CO2 emissions from various sources, CCS can help stabilize atmospheric CO2 levels, which is crucial for addressing climate change.
• CCS can contribute to energy security by allowing for the continued use of domestic fossil fuel resources, which can help reduce reliance on imported energy sources.
• CCS technologies can be integrated into industrial processes to improve efficiency and reduce emissions, leading to cost savings and environmental benefits.

Carbon Capture and Utilization

• In some cases, captured CO₂ can be used to produce manufactured goods and in industrial and other processes, rather than being stored underground. Such utilization is known as CCUS (carbon capture, utilization, and storage). 
• Companies and labs are working on turning CO2 into plastics, building materials like cement and concrete, fuels, futuristic materials like carbon fibers and graphene, and even household products like baking soda, bleach, antifreeze, inks and paints.
• One of the primary uses of CO₂ is for enhanced oil recovery (EOR), a method of oil extraction that uses CO₂ and water to drive oil up the well, improving oil recovery and sequestering the CO₂ underground.