A novel co-design framework for CO2 transport networks and booster station optimization: A case study of the Iberian Peninsula

Abstract

This study presents a cost-effective modeling framework for designing CO₂ transport networks for carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) on the Iberian Peninsula. The framework integrates industrial reuse potential uncertainties and pressure dynamics — including frictional and elevation-induced losses — to co-optimize pipeline layouts and booster station capacities. Booster stations are installed only when pressure at critical points falls below the minimum dense-phase threshold, ensuring a balance between cost and operational feasibility. Key findings reveal that a fragmented CO₂ transport network is cost-effective, with smaller sub-networks formed to avoid unfavorable elevation profiles and minimize reliance on booster stations. The levelized cost of CO₂ transport plateaus at 15 €/(Formula presented) for capture rates above 30% and 1000Mt CO₂ transported, driven by reductions in pipeline capital expenditure and initial compression costs. For high capture rates (around 3000Mt CO₂ transported), the network length extends to 1900 km. While booster station costs (capital, operational, and electricity) are relatively minor compared to initial compression, they play a critical role in shaping the overall cost structure. A comparison between the integrated model and a traditional ex-post approach highlights significant differences in pipeline layouts, with booster capital and electricity costs emerging as the primary differentiators. The study underscores the importance of endogenously accounting for booster station costs in CCUS network design, demonstrating that strategic placement significantly influences network efficiency and economic viability.