Perspective
Carbon capture, storage and utilisation
Making it feasible to remove substantial amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere while storing and reusing the CO2 for alternative purposes, a range of Danish companies are developing innovative and new technologies across the value chain. Regarded as essential components in the green transition on a global scale, below are three tangible examples.
The solutions in this article are only a few of many examples demonstrating how Denmark is a strong partner for reaping the benefits of CCUS. Our brand-new whitepaper describes how Denmark is uniquely fit to embark on the CCUS journey, and how increased international collaboration in this field can drive and accelerate the green transition globally.
Download the publicationCapturing carbon can have huge potential for industries in the hard-to-abate sector, such as transportation, shipping and construction, which are generally among the larger CO₂-emitters. Capturing CO₂ from the processes in these sectors can be seen as key in driving CO₂ emissions to zero and beyond. Depending on the origin and use of the captured CO₂, this CO₂ can either result in climate-neutral emissions or even climate-negative emissions. The case of the waste-to-energy facility Amager Ressource Center (ARC) in Copenhagen exemplifies this.
In 2021 ARC established the first pilot plant for carbon capture in Denmark with the primary purpose to test carbon capture technologies and reducing the net energy consumption needed for carbon capture process. In addition to the pilot plant, ARC has completed a demonstration plant, which simulates a full-scale plant and is able to capture 500 kg CO₂ every hour, thus removing significant amounts of CO₂ emissions from the atmosphere.
Read the full case: Waste-to-energy CHP – Amager Bakke Copenhagen
In addition to achieving energy-efficient ways of capturing carbon, Danish companies are working on storing the captured carbon. The Danish subsoil holds a large storage potential of up to 22 billion tonnes of CO₂, making Denmark an optimal location for CO₂ storage. Project Bifrost is taking advantage of this, by exploring long-term solutions for CCS that use existing infrastructure in the Danish North Sea. Bifrost is developing an offshore floating unit as an intermediate storage- and injection facility to which CO₂ is transported by ship. The maritime transport of CO₂ can be accomplished by transporting CO₂ either from major Danish ports or from other countries to storage sites in the North Sea. From the east, Denmark will be a convenient storage partner for large emitters from countries around the Baltic Sea. From the west, CO₂ can be shipped directly to storage in the Danish part of the North Sea.
Project Bifrost aims to store 3 Mtpa of CO₂ from 2027 or 2028. The storage potential, if achieved, could contribute significantly to Denmark’s green transition nationally, as well as globally.
Read more: Storing CO₂
Other than showcasing clear examples of efficient carbon capture and storage solutions, the case of Green Fuels for Denmark exemplifies how Denmark has developed convincing solutions within carbon utilisation. With Green Fuels for Denmark, the aim is to contribute to decarbonising the transport industry, including everything from road, and maritime, to air transport. This is done by producing green fuels through the combination of captured CO₂ and green hydrogen.
By 2027, Green Fuels for Denmark will produce green fuels enough to supply the whole domestic fuel demand for aviation in Denmark. By 2030, when fully developed, Green Fuels for Denmark aims to produce 275,000 tonnes of renewable fuels per year.
Read more: Green Fuels for Denmark receives IPCEI status
Also read: Denmark’s most ambitious plan for large-scale production of green fuels
