What is CCS technology?
CCS is part of a suite of technologies to reduce global carbon emissions. A carbon reduction technique, CCS stands for carbon capture and storage. CSS captures carbon dioxide emissions from industrial and energy-related sources and stores CO₂ safely and deeply underground in geological formations to prevent it from entering the atmosphere.
How does carbon capture work?
CCS works by capturing CO₂ during high-emission processes such as those in heavy industry, power generation, and chemical production. Instead of releasing CO₂ into the atmosphere, CCS systems trap it at the emission source—like power plants or cement factories.
There are three main carbon capture techniques:
Pre-combustion capture
Post-combustion capture
Oxy-fuel combustion
Once captured, the CO₂ is compressed and transported—usually via pipeline or ship—to secure underground storage sites.
Where is carbon stored?
Captured CO₂ is typically stored deep underground in depleted oil and gas fields or saline aquifers. These geological formations are selected for their stability and ability to contain carbon for thousands of years. Monitoring and site selection are critical to prevent leakage and environmental harm.
In some cases, captured CO₂ is used in Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR), where it is injected into oil fields to increase extraction. However, EOR is controversial due to its continued reliance on fossil fuel extraction and is not classified as a clean energy solution.
Benefits of CCS for decarbonising energy
1, Reduces emissions while supporting energy security
Critics argue that CCS still allows fossil fuel use, but until renewable energy infrastructure is fully scalable, CCS provides a transitional solution. It enables emission reductions without fully abandoning current energy systems.
2. Decarbonises hard-to-abate sectors
Industries like cement, steel, and chemical production generate unavoidable emissions. CCS provides a practical path to meet net-zero targets by capturing and storing emissions that cannot currently be eliminated.
3. Supports net-zero goals for high-emission nations
For countries with large-scale manufacturing or fossil fuel reliance, CCS offers a realistic way to meet carbon reduction targets while continuing industrial activity.
CCS and Hydrogen production: a synergistic role
CCS plays a vital role in producing blue hydrogen, where natural gas undergoes steam methane reforming (SMR). During SMR, CO₂ is generated and then captured using CCS, creating a low-emissions hydrogen fuel alternative.
Unlike green hydrogen, which relies on renewable electricity, or pink hydrogen, which uses nuclear energy, blue hydrogen provides a scalable, lower-carbon option. While not zero-emissions, it’s a key transitional energy source.
Hydrogen produced this way can be distributed through existing or upgraded gas grids, enabling its use in industry, transport, and power—even without a full gas-to-hydrogen grid switch.
Infrastructure bridge to renewable energy
CCS helps modernise outdated energy infrastructure while maintaining emission reductions. Current grids cannot yet support 100% renewable energy. By integrating CCS, grid upgrades can happen gradually without increasing carbon emissions.
Challenges facing CCS technology
1. High costs and infrastructure needs
One of the biggest barriers to CCS is its high upfront costs and complex infrastructure requirements. Limited case studies and lack of commercial-scale deployment hinder investment.
2. Public perception and safety concerns
Concerns about long-term storage safety, potential leakage, and environmental risks contribute to public resistance. Long-term monitoring and site management are essential for CCS project success.
3. Policy and incentive gaps
To make CCS viable, strong government policy, carbon pricing, and financial incentives are needed. Without regulatory support, private sector investment remains limited.
The future of CCS in energy transition
Increasing global investment and pilot projects are being implemented as we move towards a zee-carbon future. Seen as critical by IEA and IPCC for net-zero pathways, carbon capture and storage is already being rolled out successfully, albeit in a handful of large-scale projects. One of these is Sleipner Field in Norway, which was the first carbon capture and storage facility in Europe. Identified as an effective way to avoid carbon tax by big producers, it’s been operating for almost 30 years since its implementation in 1996.
While CCS is an appropriate technology to remove carbon dioxide from the air at source, it cannot remove carbon dioxide already present in the atmosphere. This is where Direct Air Capture (DAC) comes in. DAC can remove carbon dioxide already present in the ambient air, which, combined with CCS, will help us reach a zero-carbon future more quickly.
Final thoughts: CCS as a transitional climate solution
While not a silver bullet, CCS is a critical part of the clean energy toolkit. It supports emission reductions across sectors where renewables aren't yet feasible, helps accelerate hydrogen deployment, and bridges the gap between current energy systems and a carbon-neutral future.
