Insiders have long been talking about the energy transition taking place in the power industry. Most of the talks were around renewable energy sources, in particular wind and solar energy, and the transition from coal to gas generation in the United States.
However, scientists at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) say carbon and hydrogen capture are these are the “most exciting” technologies that they believe will have an impact on the energy sector by 2050 of the year.
“The potential for carbon capture in this energy transition will be phenomenal. We need to figure this out. We have to implement it, ”says Neil Wilmshurst, senior vice president of energy systems resources at EPRI.
Wilmshurst suggested that obtaining permits may be the biggest obstacle standing in the way of projects for carbon sequestration, and that overcoming these barriers is likely to require the work of an organization such as EPRI. He said groups of scientists should “go to the regulators and say, 'What are you worried about? What could prevent you from allowing carbon storage in your area? 'And research to help regulators to make an informed decision ”- all of these could play a decisive role in the implementation of projects.
However, the costs associated with adding a carbon capture system to existing fossil fuel power plants add another layer of complexity. When asked about this aspect, Wilmshurst replied as follows:
“If you have coal or gas assets, they still produce CO2 despite all the improvements being made. If we are to ensure that these assets really return on investment after 2030, we need to solve the problem of carbon capture.
In addition, Wilmshurst believes it will be very difficult to achieve carbon reduction targets without carbon capture technology. "Looking at the infrastructure we have today and the opportunities we have to achieve 2050, it is very difficult to imagine how the United States can achieve the 2050 [targets] without relying on capturing carbon ".
Wilmshurst also expressed his admiration for the promise of using hydrogen.
“Looking at 2050, we cannot achieve this zero carbon goal by simply removing CO 2 from electricity, we have to actually remove CO 2 from industrial processes, from domestic processes, as well as hydrogen and other alternative fuels such as ammonia - they are very attractive in this discussion. " he said.
EPRI and Gas Technology Institute (GTI) partnered for the Low Carbon Initiative resources (LCRI) to accelerate the development and demonstration of low-carbon and zero-carbon technologies energy.
According to Wilmshurst, the project involves global discussion with tremendous interest from governments, utilities, research organizations, and philanthropic foundations. Within the framework of this initiative, attention should be paid to which energy carriers will become the most significant by 2050. "It won't be the same as it is now," he said.
"What will the ships feed on? What will the planes be powered from? What will the industrial complexes be powered by? ”Asked Wilmshurst. “We see people talking about building new nuclear power plants.
Traditionally, when you talk about new nuclear power plants, they have to be connected to the grid, generate 100% of the energy 24 hours a day, and this is their role. Now we hear people talking about the production of hydrogen in a nuclear power plant and its supply to industrial centers. So all of these changes in the role of the energy sector in the next 20-30 years are probably the most exciting. "
P.S. The world is moving towards a new energetic reality. The plans are grandiose. And if they are implemented, the world in 2050 will indeed be completely different.
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