Jahr: 2023

Science-Policy Documents

Nature – Fridahl et al. (2023): Novel carbon dioxide removals techniques must be integrated into the European Union’s climate policies

Mathias Fridahl, Felix Schenuit, Liv Lundberg, Kenneth Möllersten, Miranda Böttcher, Wilfried Rickels, Anders Hansson IN: Communications Earth & Environment, 4, https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-023-01121-9

The authors argue that the current policy framework neither provides Union-wide economic incentives for novel CO2 removals, nor does it encourage EU Member States to develop national policy incentives. The proposed solutions includes incentivizing removals through a conditional integration into the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), expanding the portfolio of removal methods in the Land-Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) Regulation, and to manage anticipations regarding which residual emissions that need to be counterbalanced by removals.

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Scientific Theses

Master-thesis: One-off ocean nitrogen fertilization as carbon dioxide removal strategy?: Exploring its long-term carbon sequestration potential

Noor Kloppenburg, TU Delft Civil Engineering & Geosciences, http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:31e34e2a-63f4-446e-a369-0d5a0aa163b4

This thesis investigated the long-term (>100 years) carbon sequestration potential of enhancing the biological carbon pump by ocean nitrogen fertilization, a research domain which so far has received little attention. The objective was to make an initial rough quantification of the (cumulative) CDR potential of one-off ocean nitrogen fertilization achieved within 5 years after the fertilization, to evaluate its potential as a global CDR technique and for commercial implementation. An idealized one-dimensional vertical (1DV) model framework, coupling a marine ecosystem model with a vertical eddy diffusion physical model, was established to simulate ocean nitrogen fertilization, incorporating essential processes of ocean productivity and the biological carbon pump. 

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Scientific Theses

Master-thesis: Assessing the potential for Negative Emission Technologies in Austria

Mara Scheibenreif, Utrecht University, https://studenttheses.uu.nl/handle/20.500.12932/45200

Little research has been conducted on a national level to determine the potential of NETs. This is also the case for Austria. Consequently, this thesis aimed to fill this research gap by assessing the techno-economic and implementation potential for Afforestation & Reforestation/Forest Management, Biochar, Bioenergy Carbon Capture & Storage, Building with Biomass, Direct Air Carbon Capture & Storage and Soil Carbon Sequestration. In addition, feedstock competition and trade-offs were assessed.

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Peer-reviewed Publications

Ganorkar & Langde (2023): Experimental investigations of carbon dioxide (CO2) removal through physical adsorption using carbonaceous adsorbents: A review

Atul P. Ganorkar, Akash Langde IN: AIP Conference Proceedings, https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0167636

This article discusses the adsorption method used to remove carbon dioxide from ordinary exhaust gases. Carbon capture post-combustion using this technique may be one of the cheapest and least disruptive approaches since it requires just a little amount of energy and minimal modifications to the current setup. The progress of innovative solid adsorbents with high adsorption capacity and suitable economics for CO2 removal has been pursued by many research groups. In this article, the authors have discussed a diversity of carbonaceous materials, such as carbon nanotubes, activated carbons and graphene that might be used to absorb CO2. A few ideas for future study on carbon dioxide capture using physical solid materials have been presented.

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Reports

CDR Measurement for ERW via Alkalinity in Leachate (Data From Our Greenhouse Experiment, Part 2)

Carbon Drawdown Initiative, December 1, 2023

In this paper the authors delve into Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) and its potential for Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) in agricultural settings. They present the first results of our extensive greenhouse experiment that was started early 2023 with the goal to measure the climate-positive effects of ERW on relatively short timescales (months to a few years). To achieve this they are experimenting with several measurement approaches. One of them is based on analyzing alkalinity in leachate waters, the topic of this paper where the authors both explain how it works and what the first results tell us.

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Scientific Theses

Master-thesis: Forming Markets for Carbon Dioxide Removal Technologies: The Role and Influence of Voluntary and Compliance Carbon Markets

Nick Deknatel, Utrecht University, https://studenttheses.uu.nl/handle/20.500.12932/44292

The Technological Innovation Systems (TIS) framework is a theoretical approach to understand socio-technical change, highlighting the importance of technological innovation and the interactions between actors and their networks within an institutional context. This research maps the structure of the TIS at an EU level and analyses the performance of seven TIS functions, with a particular emphasis on market formation for CDR; an intangible product. This function is expanded by examining two existing carbon market mechanisms, the voluntary and compliance carbon markets, to understand their impact on the development of a market for intangible products. Various CDR actors, including CDR companies, policymakers, networks, experts, journalists, niche market actors, and municipalities, were interviewed and a separate survey was conducted.

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Peer-reviewed Publications

Ma et al. (2023): An ab initio free energy study of the reaction mechanism and rate-limiting steps of CO2 capture by aqueous glycine

Xinyou Ma, Vyacheslav S. Bryantsev, Santanu Roy IN: Cell Reports Physical Science, 4,11, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xcrp.2023.101642

Aqueous amino acids are promising absorbents for direct air capture (DAC) of CO2. Herein, the authors investigate the possibility of kinetic control of CO2 absorption with aqueous anionic glycine (GLY−) by employing extensive ab initio molecular dynamics simulations, free energy analysis, and reaction rate theory.

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Scientific Theses

Master-thesis: Transdisciplinary analysis and Life Cycle Assessment on CO2 Direct Air Capture using membrane technology

Ysaline Toussaint, Ecole polytechnique de Louvain, http://hdl.handle.net/2078.1/thesis:40565

In this work, the direct air capture technology based on the use of membranes (m-DAC) is studied. This technology has a relatively low maturity, but would have certain advantages over the most advanced DAC technologies. It would be more energy efficient and would have a lower environmental footprint. A life cycle analysis is carried out on this technology to determine whether it has a place as a future option for reducing CO2 emissions.

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Reports

Report: Carbon removals: How to scale a new gigaton industry

 Peter Mannion, Emma Parry, Mark Patel, Erik Ringvold, Jonathan Scott, McKinsey Sustainability & McKinsey’s Global Energy and Materials Practices, December 4, 2023

This report provides an analysis of the market potential for CDR, the investment requirements, and market trends. It also identifies which actions are the most likely to lower barriers to scaling CDR and delineates potential advantages for first movers in different stakeholder groups.

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Peer-reviewed Publications

Shirzad et al. (2023): Biochar in Carbon Sequestration

Mohammad Shirzad, Mohsen Karimi, Alírio E. Rodrigues, José A. C. Silva IN: Biochar and its Composites, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-5239-7_4

Biochar carbon materials have been employed as a source of adsorbent through CO2 capture and sequestration process not only to satisfy these factors but also as a pathway to the solid waste management. Herein, the key concepts on the carbon capture and sequestration also adsorption processes have been discussed. Next, the capability of biomass/biochar as a low-cost origin of potential adsorbent is extensively discussed.

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