The Anonymous Widower

Increased CCS Can Decarbonise GB Electricity Faster On Route To Net Zero

The title of this post, is the same as that of this news item on the SSE web site.

This is the first paragraph.

Building more power carbon capture and storage plants (Power CCS) could significantly accelerate the UK’s plans to decarbonise the GB electricity system on route to net zero, according to new analysis commissioned by SSE.

I am not surprised, as in my time, I have built several production, storage and distribution mathematical models for products and sometimes bringing things forward has beneficial effects.

These three paragraphs summarise the findings.

The UK Government’s proposed emissions reductions from electricity for 2035 could be accelerated to 2030 by combining its 50GW offshore wind ambition with a significant step up in deployment of Power CCS. This would require 7-9GW (equivalent to 10-12 plants) of Power CCS compared to the current commitment of at least one Power CCS plant mid-decade, according to experts at LCP Delta.

Replacing unabated gas with abated Power CCS generation will deliver significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The analysis suggests that adding 7-9GW Power CCS to the UK’s 2030 offshore wind ambition will save an additional 18 million tonnes of CO2 by 2040, by preventing carbon emissions during periods when the sun isn’t shining, and the wind isn’t blowing.

Gas consumption for electricity generation would not significantly increase, given the 7-9GW Power CCS would displace older and less efficient unabated gas power stations already operating and reduce importing unabated gas generation from abroad via the interconnectors. Importantly, Power CCS can provide a safety net to capture emissions from any gas required to keep the lights on in the event of delays to the roll out of renewables or nuclear.

The report is by LCP Delta, who are consultants based in Edinburgh.

The report says this about the transition to hydrogen.

Power CCS also presents significant opportunities to kickstart, then transition to, a hydrogen economy, benefitting from the synergies between CCS and hydrogen, including proximity to large-scale renewable generation and gas storage facilities which can support the production of both electrolytic and CCS-enabled hydrogen.

And this about the reduction in carbon emissions.

The existing renewables ambition and the accelerated Power CCS ambition are expected to save a total of 72 million tonnes of CO2 by 2040 compared to commitments in the UK’s Net Zero Strategy from October 2021.

I don’t think there’s much wrong with this analysis.

But of course the greens will trash it, as it was paid for by SSE.

I have a few thoughts.

Carbon Capture And Use

I believe we will see a great increase in carbon capture and use.

• Carbon dioxide is already an ingredient to make Quorn.
• Carbon dioxide is needed for fizzy drinks.
• Carbon dioxide can be fed to tomatoes, salad plants, herbs and flowers in giant greenhouses.
• Carbon dioxide can be used to make animal and pet food.
• Carbon dioxide can be used to make building products like plasterboard and blocks.
• Carbon dioxide can be added to concrete.
• Carbon dioxide can be used as a refrigerant and in air-conditioning. There are one or two old Victorian systems still working.

Other uses will be developed.

Carbon Capture Will Get More Efficient

Carbon capture from power stations and boilers, that use natural gas is a relatively new process and its capture will surely get better and more efficient in the next few years.

Gas From INTOG

I explain INTOG in What Is INTOG?.

One of INTOG’s aims, is to supply electricity to the oil and gas rigs and platforms in the sea around the UK.

Currently, these rigs and platforms, use some of the gas they produce, in gas turbines to create the electricity they need.

• I have seen reports that ten percent of the gas that comes out of the ground is used in this way.
• Using the gas as fuel creates more carbon dioxide.

Decarbonisation of our oil and gas rigs and platforms, will obviously be a good thing because of a reduction of the carbon dioxide emitted. but it will also mean that the gas that would have been used to power the platform can be brought ashore to power industry and domestic heating, or be exported to countries who need it.

Gas may not be carbon-neutral, but some gas is more carbon-neutral than others.

SSE’s Plans For New Thermal Power Stations

I have taken this from SSE’s news item.

SSE has deliberately chosen to remain invested in the transition of flexible thermal electricity generation due to the key role it plays in a renewables-led, net zero, electricity system and is committed to decarbonising the generation.

Together with Equinor, SSE Thermal is developing two power stations equipped with carbon capture technology. Keadby 3 Carbon Capture Power Station is based in the Humber, the UK’s most carbon-intensive industrial region, while Peterhead Carbon Capture Power Station is located in the North East of Scotland. Combined, the two stations could capture around three million tonnes of CO2 a year.

Studies have shown that Keadby and Peterhead Carbon Capture Power Stations could make a lifetime contribution of £1.2bn each to the UK economy, creating significant economic opportunity in their respective regions. Both will be vital in supporting the huge amount of renewables which will be coming on the system.

SSE Thermal and Equinor are also collaborating on Keadby Hydrogen Power Station, which could be one of the world’s first 100% hydrogen-fuelled power stations, and Aldbrough Hydrogen Storage, which could be one of the world’s largest hydrogen storage facilities.

Note.

1. SSE appear to think that gas-fired power stations with carbon capture are an ideal backup to renewables.
2. If gas is available and it can be used to generate electricity without emitting any carbon dioxide, then why not?
3. Hydrogen is coming.

Things will get better.

Is A Virtuous Circle Developing?

Consider.

• Spare wind electricity is turned into hydrogen using an electrolyser or perhaps some world-changing electro-chemical process.
• The hydrogen is stored in Aldbrough Hydrogen Storage.
• When the wind isn’t blowing, hydrogen is used to backup the wind in Keadby Hydrogen power station.
• The other Keadby power stations can also kick in using natural gas. The carbon dioxide that they produce, would be captured for storage or use.
• Other users, who need to decarbonise, can be supplied with hydrogen from Aldbrough.

Note.

1. Gas turbines are throttleable, so if National Grid wants 600 MW to balance the grid, they can supply it.
2. As time progresses, some of the gas-fired power stations at Keadby could be converted to hydrogen.
3. Rough gas storage is not far away and could either store natural gas or hydrogen.
4. Hydrogen might be imported by tanker from places like Africa and Australia, depending on price.

Humberside will be levelling up and leading the decarbonisation of the UK.

If you have an energy-hungry business, you should seriously look at moving to Humberside.

December 7, 2022 Posted by AnonW | Energy, Energy Storage, Hydrogen | Aldbrough Gas Storage, Carbon Capture, Carbon Capture And Use, Decarbonisation, Gas-Fired Power Stations, Humberside, INTOG, Keadby Hydrogen Power Station, Keadby Power Stations, Levelling Up, Offshore Operations Decarbonisation, Quorn, Rough Gas Storage, SSE, SSE Thermal, Wind Power | 1 Comment