One way to reduce CO₂ emissions is to capture and store it. We are researching this new technology and have proposed CCS at Killingholme power station. Our new power station at Kingsnorth will be built with the capability to retrofit CCS.

Carbon Capture and Storage Options

Research and Development

Capturing and storing pure CO₂ is a difficult process but we are developing ways to do it efficiently.

Capturing CO₂

There are 3 ways to capture CO₂

Post-combustion capture – after the fuel has been burnt the CO₂ is removed from the flue gas. This process is already being used for supplying pure CO₂ to niche markets.

Pre-combustion capture – The fuel is converted into Carbon Dioxide and Hydrogen through a process called gasification. The CO₂ can then be removed before combustion.

Oxyfuel combustion – involves burning the fuel in pure oxygen. This process produces only CO₂ and water vapour. After the water vapour condenses a pure stream of CO₂ is produced.

Storing CO₂

There are 3 storage options:

Geological – CO₂ can be stored underground. Geological storage of CO₂ already happens but it is mainly used to increase production from oil and gas fields. Geological storage is the preferred method of storage because the cost of storage is reduced due to enhanced fuel recovery.

Deep Ocean – CO₂ could be stored in the ocean but the effects that this may have are not fully understood. It may make the oceans more acidic which would damage sea-life. Although deep ocean storage is possible it is unlikely to be widely used.

Mineral Carbonation – CO₂ can be combined with metal oxides to make stable minerals such as limestone. This could then be stored or re-used in construction. Mineral carbonation occurs very slowly naturally but to speed up the process requires between 60% and 180% more energy which makes it expensive.

For more information on Carbon Capture and Storage use the link above.

Carbon capture and storage has a role in helping us avoid climate change. You will see more CCS once the technological difficulties have been overcome and it is supported by law.

The animation below assumes pre-combustion clean coal technology (Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle - IGCC), proposed in our feasibility study for the possibility of building an IGCC plant next to our Killinghome Power Station.

There is also post-combustion clean coal technology, which we're planning to replace the existing coal-fired units with at Kingsnorth Power Station.