WhyCCS will be a key part of the clean energy transition -...

WhyCCS will be a key part of the clean energy transition - *

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a misunderstood technologyand because of this is often viewed negatively, but for Australia to meet itsnet zero emissions target, several experts agree that CCS is going to have toplay a key role.

In a world first, Australia recently shipped its maiden cargoload of liquified hydrogen from a Victorian project that will eventuallyproduce up to 225,000 tonnes of clean hydrogen each year using carbon captureand storage technology.

While this first load of hydrogen was produced using brown coalfrom Victoria’s Latrobe Valley and the CCS component of the Hydrogen EnergySupply Chain (HESC) pilot project is not yet operational, partners in the project estimate they will ultimatelyslash global emissions by around 1.8 million tonnes per year through the use of this proven technology.

That equates to 350,000 less petrol cars on the road.

The Australian Financial Review reported that the carbon dioxide generated from the production of this hydrogen would be permanently and safely stored in a reservoir under the Bass Strait.

Australia is currently leading the global hydrogen charge, withthe highest number of announced projects.

But without CCS, which has been in use since the early 1970s ona commercial scale, playing its part, clean hydrogen will take a lot longer tobecome cost effective.

S&P Global Platts says blue hydrogen produced using CCS isemerging as one of the most viable off ramps from fossil fuels in a deepdecarbonisation regime.

Currently, “grey” hydrogen is produced using natural gas or coalas a feedstock and the emissions generated in the process are “vented”, whichis where large and concentrated releases are abated with gas flares to produceless harmful CO2. However, this method still contributes substantially toclimate change.