Vattenfall´s Project on CCS
Climate change resulting from emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases is one of the greatest environmental challenges of our time.
Vattenfall also wants to be part of the solution. We have therefore started a long-range R&D project that Vattenfall calls its capture and storage of carbon dioxide project, otherwise known as Vattenfall's CCS project. CCS stands for "carbon capture and storage".
The aim
Focusing on capturing and storing carbon dioxide from coal-fired power plants, the project is designed to achieve secure, cost-effective and feasible technologies for an almost complete elimination of carbon dioxide emissions – and thereby make a significant reduction in CO2 emissions.
The concept
The idea is to capture carbon dioxide from the power plant’s flue gases, compress it into a liquid, and permanently store it deep underground in suitable geological formations. Most of the carbon dioxide will dissolve in the reservoir water, and then very slowly mineralise. An important part of the project involves identifying and assessing the local environmental impact of carbon dioxide capture, transport and storage.
Commercially viable operation
Initiated in 2001, the project aims to design a 250 MW electricity demonstration plant and create a commercial concept available by 2020, at the latest. Much research and development needs to be performed, with the construction of a 30 MW pilot plant an important milestone.
The pilot plant
The 30 MW pilot plant for carbon dioxide capture will be built near our lignite-fired power plant at Schwarze Pumpe, Germany. The construction has started and the plant will be in operation by mid 2008.
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