The Northern Lights Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) project stands as a beacon of hope in our quest for a sustainable future. By permanently storing CO2 under the North Atlantic, this groundbreaking initiative aims to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change and set a precedent for similar future endeavors.
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is a technology designed to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions released from industrial processes. The process involves three critical steps: capturing CO2 at its source, transporting it to a storage location, and injecting it deep underground for permanent storage.
The first step in the CCS process involves capturing CO2 emissions directly from industrial sources, such as power plants, cement factories, and chemical plants. There are three primary methods for capturing CO2: post-combustion, pre-combustion, and oxy-fuel combustion.
- Post-combustion capture involves extracting CO2 from the flue gases produced by burning fossil fuels.
- Pre-combustion capture converts fossil fuels into a mixture of hydrogen and CO2 before combustion, allowing for easier separation of CO2.
- Oxy-fuel combustion burns fossil fuels in pure oxygen instead of air, resulting in a flue gas composed mainly of CO2 and water vapor, which can be easily separated.
Once captured, CO2 must be transported to a suitable storage site. This is typically done via pipelines, like in the case of Northern Lights CCS, since pipelines are the most efficient and cost-effective means of transportation. Before the CO2 can be injected into the pipeline, it is transported by ships and trucks to an intermediary storage facility in Norway, called Oygarden. The Oygarden plant has been modeled entirely with OPC UA and the resulting OPC UA CCS Companion Specification will be released via the OPC Foundation in 2025.
The final step, in the CCS process, is the long-term storage of CO2. This involves injecting the captured CO2 into deep geological formations, such as deep saline aquifers. These formations are chosen because they have the necessary properties to safely contain CO2 for thousands of years, without leakage.
The Northern Lights CCS project is a joint venture between Equinor, Shell, and TotalEnergies. It is part of the Norwegian government’s broader efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. The project aims to establish a full-scale CCS value chain in Europe, from CO2 capture to transportation and storage.
To transport the captured CO2 to the storage site, the Northern Lights project employs innovative solutions, including the Northern Explorer CCS carrier ship, one of initially two vessels. This specialized vessel is equipped with advanced technology to safely and efficiently transport liquid CO2 from capture facilities to the Oygarden storage facility.
The final storage site for the captured CO2 is located in a geological formation under the North Atlantic seabed. This site has been carefully selected and thoroughly studied to ensure its suitability for long-term CO2 storage. The injection process involves pumping CO2 into deep saline aquifers, where it is securely trapped by impermeable rock layers.
The Northern Lights CCS project offers numerous environmental and economic benefits. By capturing and permanently storing CO2, the project helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, slow down global warming, and protect the environment for future generations. Additionally, the project creates new job opportunities and stimulates economic growth by promoting innovation in the field of carbon capture and storage. Furthermore, the project attracts investment and promotes the development of a sustainable and resilient economy.
As we continue to face the challenges of climate change, initiatives like the Northern Lights project demonstrate the potential of CCS technology to make a meaningful difference in our world.
Erich Barnstedt, Microsoft, MCB/TCB OPC Foundation