Chapter 4: Introduction to Carbon Capture

There is nothing magical about carbon capture and storage (CCS). The technology to capture and store CO₂ in geological formations is already available commercially. So why isn't carbon capture technology more widespread? Currently, the costs of separating CO₂ — in terms of required energy and capital costs, and the resulting increase in price of electricity required — are significant. If research were able to reduce the required energy and monetary costs of separation in a meaningful way, it would greatly reduce the barrier to CCS.