CO2 capture in CarbFix2 will be carried out through two different processes:
1. Industrial scale capture from otherwise emitted CO2 at Hellisheidi geothermal power plant.
2. Pilot scale capture of CO2 directly from ambient air through a novel system
Captured CO2 will be transported towards the CarbFix injection site where it will be injected to a depth greater than 1000 m. The fate of injected gases will be monitored and modelled, e.g. through a comprehensive tracer study. Induced seismicity will be monitored and analysed.
In addition to further advance and develop on shore CCS as explained above, CarbFix2 will take important steps towards preparing for offshore carbon mineralization in basalts. There are numerous advantages in applying the CarbFix method to submarine basalts. First, there is far more storage available in porous sub-marine basalts than required for the geologic storage of all the anthropogenic CO2 that will ever be produced. Second this is an environmentally safe solution to the global CO2 challenge; the carbonation of subsurface marine basalts is a natural process that is widespread across the global oceans.
The main expected results and milestones of the CarbFix2 project include:
• Demonstration of direct capture of CO2 from air using heat from Hellisheidi geothermal power plant.
• Injection of impure CO2 gas mixtures captured at Hellisheidi geothermal power plant.
• Monitoring and modelling the fate of injected CO2 allowing for design of long-term reservoir management plans.
• Further understanding of gas re-injection on possible induced seismicity in the reservoir.
• Preparation for applying CarbFix to the sea floor through laboratory studies, background field studies and design of a CO2 seawater capture prototype.
• Detailed cost analysis on operating the CarbFix method at Hellisheidi power plant and monetary value on the added value of co-capturing H2S.
• Continuous, active and diverse engagement with stakeholders through comprehensive dissemination plans.
Impacts:
Replicability: The CarbFix method can be applied wherever a concentrated CO2 source, basalt and water coincide. Basalts cover 5% of the continents and most of the ocean floor is composed of basalts so worldwide capacities for replicating efforts in CarbFix are large. Direct CO2 capture from ambient air as is demonstrated in this project will furthermore allow for decoupling location of emissions from injection sites.
Socio-economics: Currently, the cost of the whole CCS chain exceeds the value of the carbon stored by close to an order of magnitude and is dominated by the CO2 capture processes and gas separation. To address the needs to bring down the costs of CCS, the CarbFix2 consortium will further develop methods for capturing impure CO2 gas streams, thereby bringing down costs significantly while also providing added value by co-capturing other environmentally important emission gases.
Environment: The overall objective of CarbFix2 is to bring CCS technology forward so that large scale carbon capture and storage can be carried out worldwide through a safe, permanent, economic and environmentally benign process. Through the project, 1/3 rd of CO2 emissions from the Hellisheidi geothermal power plant as well as CO2 from air will be captured and stored permanently in the subsurface.
Expected impact in call topic: a) Demonstration of safe and environmentally sound CO2 storage, b) Optimization of safe operation of storage sites, c) Fine-tuning regulatory issues, d) Promoting confidence in CO2 storage and building public awareness of CCS, e) Accelerate the development and deployment of CCS through cooperation between stakeholders and Member States/Associated Countries, f) Efficient use and stronger leverage of financial resources, g) Promote knowledge sharing. CarbFix2 has a predefined strategy to meet and deliver all the expected impacts above though R&D activities, dissemination efforts and its economic impact study.
