Co2 Sequestration: Opportunities and Challenges

Carbon management and sequestration offers an opportunity for reducing greenhouse gas emissions that can complement the current strategies of improving energy efficiency and increasing the use of non-fossil energy resources. Furthermore, this approach will enable us to continue to enjoy the benefits of fossil fuels while protecting our climate. When most people think of sequestering carbon, they think of planting trees. However, the focus of this paper is the capture of CO2 from large stationary sources and then reusing it or sequestering it in geologic formations or the deep ocean. The two biggest challenges for carbon sequestration from large stationary sources are reducing costs associated with CO2 separation and capture and developing sinks that are safe, effective, and economical. In this paper, we present results of a detailed analysis of costs associated with today’s technology for CO2 separation and capture followed by a discussion of opportunities to lower costs in the future. Then, we review the challenges involved in developing secure storage reservoirs.