Reducing Steel Emissions: India's Efforts to Capture and Store Carbon

What is it about?

The research conducted a detailed CO₂ source-sink mapping exercise to decarbonize India's steel industry by proposing carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects. The methodology involved identifying CO₂ emission sources from 15 integrated steel plants and matching them with subsurface CO₂ sinks, such as gas fields, oil fields, and saline aquifers, based on criteria like proximity and storage capacity. Four CCS field development concepts were proposed to connect these sources and sinks, with a transportation distance limit of 500 km to reduce costs. The research identified six CCS projects in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Gujarat, and Maharashtra, where nine suitable steel plants were matched to CO₂ sinks. These projects are expected to mitigate 108 Mtpa of CO₂, equivalent to 41% of the steel industry's emissions. Notably, the Maharashtra project will utilize CO₂ for enhanced oil recovery, while the others will store CO₂ in saline aquifers. The research emphasized that implementing these projects requires detailed engineering work and supportive government policies.

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Photo by Ant Rozetsky on Unsplash

Photo by Ant Rozetsky on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This study is important as it addresses the urgent need to decarbonize India's steel industry, which is the second largest in the world and contributes significantly to the country's CO₂ emissions. By exploring the potential of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies, the research provides a path forward for reducing emissions from one of the hardest-to-abate sectors. The study's findings not only highlight the feasibility of large-scale CCS projects in India but also underscore their potential impact on national carbon reduction goals and energy security. This approach aligns with global efforts to mitigate climate change by offering a practical solution to lower the carbon footprint of steel production, which is essential for sustainable industrial growth. Key Takeaways: 1. Significant Emission Mitigation: The study identifies six world-class CCS projects capable of mitigating 108 Mtpa of CO₂, representing 41% of the emissions from India's steel industry, thereby significantly contributing to the country's overall emission reduction targets. 2. Strategic Plant Selection: Out of 15 major steel plants, nine are deemed suitable for CCS due to their proximity to viable subsurface CO₂ sinks, ensuring efficient implementation of CCS technologies without incurring excessive transportation costs. 3. Diverse Utilization of Captured CO₂: While most of the CCS projects aim to store CO₂ in saline aquifers, the Maharashtra project plans to use captured CO₂ for enhanced oil recovery, demonstrating the flexibility and multi-faceted benefits of CCS technologies in both environmental and industrial contexts.