Why We Need Engineered Geological Storage of CO₂

Abstract

Reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions is a key issue for modern human civilization. Part of the solution to this challenge is long-term storage of CO₂ in deep geological rock formations. Other key solutions to achieving reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are to greatly expand the use of renewable sources of energy and to use energy much more efficiently. To explain why we need engineered geological storage of CO₂ we first review the history of use of fossil fuels and then look at the history of the discovery of the greenhouse gas effect. This provides the basis for the urgent need to achieve the low-carbon energy transition. CO₂ Capture and Storage (CCS) is vital because it: (a) provides a mechanism for decarbonising power supply and industry, (b) allows the energy transition to be achieved faster and at a cheaper cost than by using only renewable energy sources, and (c) it allows negative net-CO₂ emissions projects to be deployed. Finally, we explain the components of CCS - a set of technical solutions to remove CO₂ from industrial processes and to inject it into the subsurface in order to isolate the CO₂ from the atmosphere.