The Carbon Crisis: Why CCS Matters Now? 

Human activities such as burning fossil fuels and Industrial processes have pushed atmospheric carbon dioxide far above pre-industrial levels, trapping more heat and driving sea-level rise and extreme weather. The IPCC warns that unless we halve Cemissions each decade starting now, we risk crossing tipping points that would cause irreversible harm. Delaying cuts not only makes future reductions costlier but also forfelts co-benefits like cleaner air, greater energy security, and improved health, highlighting the narrow window to limit warming to 1.5°C. 

Carbon Capture and Storage is essential for sectors where renewables or fuel switching can't yet deliver deep cuts. Proven CCS technologies can capture up to 90% of emissions from cement kilns, steel blast furnaces, and refineries, allowing them to operate while storing CO₂ underground or using it in chemical processes. Since electrification and hydrogen solutions will take years to mature, rapid CCS deployment is critical to meet the steep reductions and negative-emissions pathways needed to stay within our remaining carbon budget. 

How Carbon Capture & Storage Works? 

There are 4 main methods of carbon capture technologies: 

1. Post-combustion 

In this process, carbon capture separates CO₂ from the exhaust gases after the fuel has been combusted with air. For post-combustion the sources of the gas include conventional turbines, engines and boilers and ovens or stoves. This technology extracts the CO, from the gasses then mixes them with nitrogen and other combustion byproducts thus lowering the concentration of the CO₂  

2. Pre-combustion

Carbon capture converts fuel into a mixture of hydrogen, CO₂ and other gases, through gasification or reforming processes. Examples include processing coal, biomass, or natural gas with steam and/or oxygen to produce syngas. This technology separates CO2 from high-pressure, concentrated gas streams

3. Oxy-Fuel

This step uses pure oxygen not air, so it leaves a flue gas that contains mostly CO₂, and water vapor with a little nitrogen. The water vapor is condensed out leaving almost a pure CO₂ which can then be compressed and stored 

4. Inherent Process

Inherent process capture Integrates CO2 separation directly into the fundamental design of industrial processes. Examples CO2 emissions from fermentation within ethanol or biogas production. That CO2 is the direct result of the fermentation process, and is often vented at high concentrations if not captured. Very few modifications are therefore required for capturing and separating that type of CO2. This technology produces high-purity CO, streams without requiring additional separation. 

Global Project & Progress 

Example of CCS project around the world:

• Drax Power Station in the UK announced the world's single largest bioenergy with CCS (BECCS) project, with a world-scale 8.0 Mtpa capacity across two units. 
• Glacier CCS Project that capture technology firm, Entropy commissioned a CO, capture facility on a natural gas fired. reciprocating engine, the first of its kind at commercial scale and an important milestone given the importance of future capture from natural gas combustion streams workdwide. 
• In Australia, the Bayu-Undan project by Santos has moved Into Front End Engineering and Design (FEED). This project will capture CO₂ from LNG production in on in Darwin and transport it vis pipeline across the maritime border between Australia and Timor-Leste for offishore geologicall storage. A key feature of this project is repurposing an existing natural gas pipeline for CO 

Between Science and Skepticism 

While CCS holds great potential, a major concern is the risk of CO₂ leakage from storage sites, especially old or abandoned wells, which can release hundreds of tons of CO2 annually. This highlights the urgent need for strong risk assessments and clear legal frameworks. Offshore projects face additional technical and regulatory challenges due to complex geology and existing infrastructure. Moreover, leaked CO₂ could harm the environment, such as polluting air or freshwater. Selecting secure geological formations and addressing scientific knowledge gaps are essential. Lastly, there's skepticism that CCS could be misused for greenwashing, exaggerating its benefits and delaying real climate action. 

Can It Really Change the Game? 

CCS could be a game-changer In cutting emissions from hard-to-decarbonize sectors by capturing CO₂ at the source, burt the high cost remains a barrier. For instance, a Canadian project cost USD 1.35 billion for just 1.2 million tons per year, with capture costs up to USD 40 per ton. Without strong financial collaboration between governments, businesses, and global partners, CCS remains difficult to scale. Still, Indonesia is making real progress with 15 planned projects by 2030, supported by new regulations and international cooperation. These efforts show that CCS can play a key role In the country's low-carbon strategy despite financial and technical hurdles. 

Let’s Hear Some Student Opinion! 

• Sekar - Computer Engineering 23 

“The Idea of a system such as CSS implemented in Indonesia is both endearing and delightful. Indonesia mainly uses fosall-fuel, which is one of the main producers of CO2. I also believe Indonesia has the potential, geologically speaking. Se having a CSS would be something that could be life-changing. But I think as for now, the public still leans more toward plastic waste and air pollution, rather than Industriall CO2 emissions, and that issue may cause CSS projects to not be prioritized politically (without stronger climate policy and social demand). So, I belleve the CSS has all the potential to be developed in Indonesia if it was backed with proper support from the public and the policies.” 

• Amar - Electrical Engineering 24 

“CCS could help cut emissions, especially in heavy industries but let's not forget it needs a lot of energy. If our grid is still powered by coal, it's like trying to clean up smoke while the fire's still burning. Without faster renewable Integration and better energy systems, CCS might just cover up the problem, not solve it.” 

Reference 

• https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2018/ee/c7ee02342a   
• https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsengineeringau.3c00049   
• https://www.capturemap.no/carbon-capture-technologies/   
• https://status22.globalccsinstitute.com/2022-status-report/global-status-of-ccs/  
• https://thelcct.org/carbon-capture-and-storage-a-lot-of-eggs-In-a-potentially-leaky-basket/
• https://www.clel.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Deep-Trouble-The-Risks-of-Offshore-Carbon-Capture-and-Storage.pdf   
• https://www.esdm.go.id/ld/media-center/arsip-berita/pemerintah-targetkan-15-proyek-cca-ccus-onstream-tahun-2030  
• Benson, S. & Jr, Franklin. (2008). Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage. MRS Bulletin. 33. 303-305.10.1557/mrs2008.63.