Carbon capture, utilisation and storage
Also called: CCUS · Topic: Environment and Sustainable Development · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) is a group of technologies that trap carbon dioxide (CO2) before it escapes into the air. The captured CO2 is then either used to make other products or stored deep underground so it stays out of the atmosphere. It matters most for hard-to-abate sectors, which are industries such as steel and cement that cannot easily cut emissions by switching to renewable power. NITI Aayog published a report on CCUS in 2022.
Example
A cement plant releases CO2 from its chimney. With CCUS, that gas is captured and either sold to make chemicals or building materials, or pumped into old underground rock layers for permanent storage.
Don't confuse with
- Natural carbon sinks (forests, soil): these absorb CO2 through natural processes such as plant growth. CCUS is a man-made technology that usually captures CO2 at the source of emission.
Related concepts
- Energy transition
- Energy trilemma
- Energy intensity
- Coal phase-down
- Grey hydrogen
- Blue hydrogen
- Green hydrogen
- Green ammonia
- Hydrogen economy
- Green premium