Carbon capture and storage – Commons Library Standard Note

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a potential way of ‘decarbonising’ electricity generation, through capturing and storing the carbon dioxide (CO2) produced. As a form of ‘low-carbon’ generation under the (UK) Energy Act 2013, CCS would allow the continued burning of fossil fuels. However, the ‘emissions performance standard’ introduced by the Bill also allows unabated gas to 2045; some feel this is not set low enough to incentivise CCS.

CCS generation is not yet proven on a large scale, and nor is storage long-term, despite a series of UK Government and EU initiatives aimed at incentivising its development. In March 2013 Peterhead (Aberdeenshire) and the White Rose Project (Yorkshire) were named as the two preferred bidders in the latest UK CCS Commercialisation Programme Competition.

ESO: Background information: Carbon capture and storage http://www.europeansources.info/record/carbon-capture-and-storage-2/

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