Context:

Recently, NITI Aayog, in collaboration with the US government, organized a pivotal two-day workshop on Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) in New Delhi.

Key Highlights of the Workshop:

• CCUS as a Critical Tool: The workshop highlighted the essential role of CCUS in decarbonizing India's key economic sectors, such as steel, cement, and fertilizers.
• Policy Framework Development: The establishment of four technical inter-ministerial committees by NITI Aayog is a crucial step in addressing the challenges associated with CCUS implementation.
• US-India Collaboration: The workshop emphasized the strong partnership between the two nations in developing CCUS technologies, with Ambassador Garcetti cleverly rephrasing CCUS as "Collaboration and Coordination with the US."
• Energy Trilemma: Discussions centered on balancing energy security, affordability, and environmental sustainability, particularly in the context of India's growing energy demand.
• Technology Integration: The need to couple efficient power generation technologies like Ultra Supercritical (USC) and Advanced Ultra Supercritical (AUSC) with CCUS was stressed.
• R&D Cooperation: Sessions explored potential collaboration in carbon management research and development between the US and India.

What is CCUS?

• It is a set of technologies and processes that enable the mitigation of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions generated from large-scale point sources such as power plants, industrial facilities, and refineries.

How does CCUS work?

A CCUS application consists of three stages: 

1. Capture: It involves capturing CO2 emissions through the methods of are: post-combustion, pre-combustion and oxy-fuel combustion. Currently, CCUS can capture around 90% of the CO2 present in flue gas.

2.Transport: Once the CO2 has been captured, it is compressed into a liquid state and transported by pipeline, ship, rail or road tanker

3. Storage of CO₂: The transported CO2 can stored in deep geological formations, usually at depths of 1 km or more, including permanently stored in depleted oil and gas reservoirs, coalbeds or deep saline aquifers.

Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)

It is a European Union (EU) policy designed to reduce carbon leakage, which occurs when companies in the EU relocate their production facilities to countries with less stringent environmental regulations to avoid higher carbon costs.

• Legal and Regulatory Frameworks: Experts deliberated on key policy issues, international standards, and business opportunities for CCUS in India.
• Carbon Mapping: The workshop addressed the importance of mapping carbon sources and sinks, as well as developing storage pilots and carbon hubs.
• Global Perspective: Panelists discussed harmonizing regulatory mechanisms and policies to promote CCUS on an international scale, considering the impacts of regimes like the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
• Net Zero 2070 target: This workshop overall represents a significant milestone in India's journey towards achieving its Net Zero 2070 target, showcasing the country's commitment to innovative climate solutions and international cooperation in the fight against global warming.