CO2 Capture and Storage (CCS): Exploring the Research, Development, Demonstration, and Deployment Continuum

Abstract

The adoption of carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) technologies is increasingly considered a potentially significant contributor to the energy infrastructure changes required to stabilize atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations for the mitigation of climate change.  Investing in new energy technologies is a well-recognized critical component of confronting the climate change problem. Prioritizing limited resources, however, for investments in the research and development (R&D), demonstration, and deployment continuum of emerging technologies is a difficult challenge.  This paper explores the current balance and needs in R&D, demonstration, and deployment for technologies associated with CCS.  Regional differences in public support for advancing CCS technologies are linked with political, economic, and geological heterogeneities.  Interest and investment in CCS technologies from the private sector are growing rapidly, demonstrating the increasing likelihood that CCS technology may play an important role in future energy production.  At this stage, the greatest need is government policies and strategies that provide incentives for the early deployment of CCS technology.