Carbon Capture, Use and Storage

 

What is carbon capture, use and storage?

Carbon capture, use and storage (CCUS) is a group of technologies that involve:

  • the capture of carbon dioxide from burning of fuels or industrial activities
  • the transport of captured carbon dioxide via shipping or pipeline, and then
    • the use of carbon dioxide to create valuable products; or
    • the permanent storage of carbon dioxide deep underground.

CCUS technologies can also support the direct removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. These technologies are often called ‘direct air capture’ or ‘negative emissions technologies’. The carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere may be used in products or stored deep underground.

What role can CCUS play in achieving emissions reductions?

Along with other technologies, CCUS and negative emissions technologies may help reduce and remove emissions for some industries. Examples include cement manufacturing, production of fertilisers or industrial chemicals.

Many scientific bodies support the use of CCUS technologies in reducing emissions, including:

You can find out more about the evidence supporting CCUS in the Read more section.

Legislation and regulatory frameworks

Australia has a strong framework of laws and regulations for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) projects.

Relevant Australian laws for offshore CCS include:

  • the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (OPGGS Act)
  • the Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981 (the Sea Dumping Act)
  • the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)
  • the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007

Australia’s National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme (NGERS) provides the framework for counting emissions. The framework requires industry to share information about:

  • captured emissions,
  • emissions stored underground,
  • leaked emissions, and
  • emissions sent to, or imported from, another country.

Onshore CCS projects fall under the jurisdiction of the State and Territories.

Commonwealth law also applies to any above ground CCS infrastructure. This includes pipelines and drilling and injection platforms.

Government programs

The Carbon Capture Technologies Program (CCTP) will help support the research and development of new and novel ways to capture and use carbon dioxide, especially in hard to abate sectors such as cement manufacturing.

Grant opportunity guidelines for the CCTP are open and close on 31 October 2023.

Funding will also support research in negative emissions technologies such as direct air capture. This is where carbon dioxide is taken from the atmosphere for storage, or for production of goods.  

Examples of projects that the CCTP may support include:

  • the development of a pilot direct air capture facility with new carbon dioxide adsorbent materials to capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
  • the conversion of carbon dioxide to create building materials, aviation fuels, and chemicals such as urea.
  • demonstration of carbon dioxide capture technology based on adsorption, absorption, membranes, or minerals, for use in hard to abate sectors.

Powering the Regions Fund (PRF) grant programs could support CCUS projects where they are proposed by eligible entities and meet the merit criteria. PRF has a focus on near term abatement (2030) and capital investment by existing industrial facilities.

Read more

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