Carbon Capture

Friday 13 December 2024 - Building Towards Net-Zero: Which Technologies Can Decarbonize Cement? Discussion of key drivers and barriers for cement sector decarbonization, including stimulating public sector and private sector demand; Benchmarking the most impactful cement decarbonization technologies over the coming decade (leading supplementary cementitious materials, biomass-based fuels, waste-derived fuels, and CCUS), alongside emerging cement decarbonization technologies (new cement production processes and materials, kiln electrification, concentrated solar power, hydrogen); Contextualizing the impact of cement decarbonization technologies in 2035 within global progress towards net-zero by 2050

Achieving net zero by 2050 will require approximately 30 gigatonnes less CO2 to be emitted each year, alongside 2-10 gigatonnes of CO2 removal per year. CCUS has been recognized by many global bodies, including the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the International Energy Agency, as a great decarbonization tool to help achieve these goals.

As global populations rise and more regions urbanize, cutting back on construction isn't a viable decarbonization strategy. Leading cement decarbonization technologies, including supplementary cementitious materials, alternative fuels, and carbon capture, will avoid an additional 422 million tonnes of CO2 emissions, in the cement sector over the coming decade.

With growing interest into the integration of fuel cells for stationary power, many commercial players have chosen to adopt either proton exchange membrane (PEM) or solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). However, alternative fuel cell technologies like alkaline fuel cells (AFCs), molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs), phosphoric acid fuel cells (PAFCs) and direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) still compete for market share.

Across the globe, over 140 countries have set a net-zero target, with many committed to reaching net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050. This Herculean task will require many emission reduction technologies in tandem - and the groundwork must be laid now. CCUS (carbon capture, utilization, and storage) solutions have been identified as one such vital tool with the ability to decarbonize existing industry assets.

Hydrogen and its derivatives (e.g. ammonia, methanol) will be crucial in decarbonizing diverse sectors and serving as energy carriers for global renewable energy transport. As a result, the market is seeing increased commercial interest from technology providers, engineering services, and project developers eager to capitalize on this expanding opportunity.

Wednesday 20 November 2024 - Reflections on 2024: Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) and Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR); Commercial, technological, and infrastructural factors set to grow CCUS deployment; Trends in both compliance and voluntary carbon markets; Discussion of upcoming CCUS projects expected to reach key milestones such as Northern Lights/Longship and Occidental's Stratos; Analysis of emerging technologies in carbon dioxide removal (including direct air capture and direct ocean capture) and carbon dioxide utilization (i.e. CO2-derived e-fuels)

While most of the voluntary market saw a downturn in 2023, corners of the market selling durable, carbon removal credits are flourishing and playing a vital role in supporting emerging technologies such as direct air capture and CO2 utilization in concrete.

The chemicals industry depends heavily on finite fossil fuel feedstocks and is responsible for 2% of global anthropogenic CO2 emissions. IDTechEx explores how captured CO2 could be utilized as a feedstock for hundreds of different chemicals instead, providing an economic and environmental incentive to capture carbon dioxide and create a circular economy.

IDTechEx are delighted to be offering the opportunity to connect with our energy and decarbonization experts in person at the free-to-attend 'IDTechEx Hydrogen and Carbon Capture Technology Briefing' in Hamburg, Germany on 22nd October 2024.