Indian Govt. Approves Setup of 5 Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage Testbeds

Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage

Carbon capture technologies are essential for cutting industrial carbon emissions. Globally, capacity is expected to reach 1.2 billion tonnes per year by 2035, reshaping energy infrastructure. In India, the government has launched its first national initiative, setting up five carbon capture and utilization (CCU) testbeds in the cement sector. These will demonstrate how CO₂ can be captured and converted into useful products like fuels, urea, chemicals, and concrete materials. This project, led by the Ministry of Science & Technology and supported through public-private partnerships, targets heavy-emission industries such as cement, steel, and power. It aligns with India’s Paris Agreement commitments and its ambitious 2070 net-zero emissions goal.

• AI and machine learning are making carbon capture more efficient, with systems capturing 16.7% more CO₂ and using 36.3% less energy, as shown by studies in the UK. One project used AI to optimize an enhanced weathering carbon capture system at a simulated coal power plant, where CO₂ reacts with limestone in water to form harmless bicarbonate.
• Emerging solvents like mixed absorption and ionic liquids show promise for future large-scale CO₂ capture. Solid adsorption, especially using metal-organic frameworks, is a hot research area due to its potential. Membrane technologies have improved with mixed-matrix and gas-absorbing membranes, enhancing separation efficiency. Low-temperature separation, microalgae, and electrochemical methods are progressing but still face challenges before large-scale use.
• Despite progress, carbon capture utilisation and storage technologies face issues like high energy use, costly materials, and operational complexity. Flue gas impurities affect capture efficiency and pipeline safety, requiring more research. CO₂’s chemical stability makes conversion difficult, with a clean hydrogen supply as a major hurdle. Leakage risks during storage remain a concern, slowing technology adoption.
• Economically, carbon capture utilisation and storage struggles with high costs and limited profitability, especially outside large CO₂-enhanced oil recovery projects. Government incentives, subsidies, and supportive policies are crucial for commercial growth.
• Policy-wise, many countries lack clear regulations and standards for carbon capture utilisation and storage, which restricts development. Establishing legal frameworks, carbon markets, and multi-sector cooperation will accelerate deployment. Despite recent setbacks in climate goals due to global energy crises, government commitment and international cooperation are key to making carbon capture utilisation and storage a viable climate solution and turning CO₂ into a valuable resource.