In need of improvement

CCS should be given the same funding, tax credits and subsidies as renewable energy sources, according to a new report prepared by the US National Coal Council for Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz. Such a move would “facilitate the creation of a robust CCS industry in the US, benefitting the American people and leading to the development of lower-cost, near-zero-emission energy technology.”

The report also highlighted challenges of public acceptance for CCS technology, recommending that the Department of Energy (DOE) accelerate its efforts in CCS public engagement, education and training activities, particularly in counties and states with demonstration projects or regions with potential infrastructure sites.

“While there have been some successes, there is a need for a substantial increase in the number of large-scale demonstration projects for both capture and storage technologies before either system approaches commercialisation,” said Amy Ericson, NNC Study Chair and US Country President for Alstom.

Other recommendations of the report include the need for better coordination of technology and funding initiatives, greater clarity of DOE programme goals and their alignment with commercial technology and financing approaches used by industry and the continuing of existing international collaborative efforts, such as the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum and the US-China Clean Energy Research Centre.

Written by Jonathan Rowland.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/power/30012015/in-need-of-improvement-ccs-in-the-us-coal1819/