Carbon capture and storage in Austria : mitigation costs and effects on CO2 reduction

Abstract

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is a process to separate and store carbon dioxide (CO2) from the flue gas emitted by power plants and industrial-related sources. The goal of this work is to answer the question whether CCS could play a role in reducing Austria's greenhouse gas emissions in the future.<br />Three existing scenarios for future energy demand are used on a timeline until 2050 (RECLIP 2007), differing in energy intensity and corresponding CO2 emissions. the captured CO2, and mitigation costs are calculated based on these scenarios and on literature data. Storage potentials are calculated on the basis of historical oil and gas production data.<br />Putting the results together, it can be shown that CCS could play a major role in reducing Austria's CO2 emissions until 2050. Industrial emissions after introducing CCS are predicted to be 30 % less by 2050 than in the scenarios without CCS, and emissions from power production even 70 % less. Mitigation costs could be in the range of USD 40-60 per ton CO2 avoided.<br />However, it can be shown that relying solely on CCS as a mitigation option will not lead to a sustainalbel solution as storage capacity for CO2 will only last for about 30 years after first installation of CCS if the fossil-fuel power production path (without significant CO2 abatement options) will be followed.<br />A scenario with substantial and sustainable CO2 abatement measures, e.g. increasing energy efficiency and introduction renewable energy is proposed in one of the cited RECLIP scenarios. Combining this scenario with CCS measures mainly for industry, and also for selected fossil power plants, could help to decrease CO2 emissions substantially and be economically and technologically feasible.<br />