Skip to main content

2014 | Buch

Liberating Energy from Carbon: Introduction to Decarbonization

insite
SUCHEN

Über dieses Buch

Liberating Energy from Carbon analyzes energy options in a carbon-constrained world. Major strategies and pathways to decarbonizing the carbon-intensive economy are laid out with a special emphasis on the prospects of achieving low-risk atmospheric CO2 levels. The opportunities and challenges in developing and bringing to market novel low and zero-carbon technologies are highlighted from technical, economic and environmental viewpoints. This book takes a unique approach by treating carbon in a holistic manner—tracking its complete transformation chain from fossil fuel sources to the unique properties of the CO2 molecule, to carbon capture and storage and finally, to CO2 industrial utilization and its conversion to value-added products and fuels. This concise but comprehensive sourcebook guides readers through recent scientific and technological developments as well as commercial projects that aim for the decarbonization of the fossil fuel-based economy and CO2 utilization that will play an increasingly important role in the near- and mid-term future. This book is intended for researchers, engineers, and students working and studying in practically all areas of energy technology and alternative energy sources and fuels.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter
Chapter 1. Introduction to Carbon Civilization
Abstract
Carbon is the basis of life on our planet: starting from the discovery of fire, our civilization vitally depends on carbon for its energy and livelihood; for this reason, it is often called “Carbon Civilization.” Our entire way of life is physically constructed around carbon fuels, and this “carbon entanglement” factor is the primary reason for the very slow and modest progress of carbon mitigation policies over the last couple of decades. There are clear indications, however, that the high-carbon economical model may face serious challenges; the continued heavy reliance on a narrow set of conventional fossil fuel-based technologies is a significant threat to energy security, stable economic growth, and the environment. A brief history of carbon fuels, their origin, diversity, abundance, and crucial role in supporting and sustaining humans’ well-being in the past, present, and future is discussed in this chapter. It examines the main grounds of our addiction to carbon fuels, controversies around “peak oil” concept, and new paradigms of dealing with the “tide” of carbon fuels and coping with their environmental impact.
Nazim Muradov
Chapter 2. What Is So Unique About CO2?
Abstract
Considering that the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere is extremely low: only 400 ppm or 0.04 vol.%, it is surprising how much impact this gas exerts on life on our planet. What is so unique about CO2? In this chapter, Greenhouse effect, radiative forcing, global warming potential, global carbon cycle, and other phenomena that control the livability of our planet are linked to unique optical and physicochemical properties of CO2. An increasing body of scientific evidence suggests that humans are affecting the Earth’s radiative and carbon balances mainly through increased emissions of greenhouse gases originating from industrial activities, land-use change, deforestation, and other practices that became prevalent during the rapid industrial development of the last two and half centuries.
Nazim Muradov
Chapter 3. Anthropogenic CO2 Emissions: Sources and Trends
Abstract
CO2 and other greenhouse gases are emitted to the atmosphere as a result of both natural processes (e.g., volcanoes, natural vents, and respiration) and human activities. Although the carbon fluxes caused by human activities constitute only a small fraction of the gross natural carbon fluxes between land, the ocean, and the atmosphere, they are responsible for the appreciable changes in the global carbon balance compared to the preindustrial period. Fossil fuels are the main contributors to overall anthropogenic CO2 emissions with most of them coming from energy-related sources. The classification of major CO2 sources by fuel type, industrial sector, CO2 content, and the scale of emissions, as well as current and future trends in CO2 emission sources is analyzed in this chapter. Geographically, the significant redistribution of CO2 emission sources throughout the world between now and 2030 could be expected with developing countries getting most of the gain, and the share of the developed countries being continuously reduced.
Nazim Muradov
Chapter 4. Stabilization of Atmospheric CO2: Prospects and Implications
Abstract
In the face of ever-increasing amounts of anthropogenic CO2 emissions, there have been attempts to estimate the “safe” limits of atmospheric CO2 concentrations in terms of the global mean temperature rise. The notion of “acceptable risk” is directly linked to the “acceptable” global temperature change that would ensure the survival of humankind for the foreseeable future. Large uncertainties in climate sensitivity, i.e., amount of warming expected at different atmospheric CO2 concentrations, can be attributed to the great number and complexity of the factors that shape climate. Currently, based on the overwhelming body of evidence including modeling studies and paleoclimate data, the majority of climate experts agree on the 2 °C change (above the preindustrial level) as an acceptable global mean temperature change target, which would require the stabilization of atmospheric GHG at about 450 ppm CO2-equivalent level. Different CO2 stabilization scenarios and roadmaps, as well as the implications of these scenarios for energy supply, GHG emissions, industry, transportation, and energy security, are discussed in this chapter.
Nazim Muradov
Chapter 5. Pathways to Decarbonization of Energy
Abstract
History of industrial civilization is history of the progression of primary fuel substitution: wood → coal → oil → gas. This evolutionary trend of reducing carbon intensity of primary energy is referred to as decarbonization. During these historical transitions, human society moved to more convenient, efficient, and clean energy sources that enabled new technological advances in industry, transportation, and other areas. However, during the last couple of decades, this positive decarbonizing trend dramatically slowed down and practically ceased. In this chapter, the current trends in carbon intensity of global economy and prospective decarbonization options are analyzed using Kaya Identity (KI) modeling tool. The KI analysis indicates that the cessation of decarbonization of global economy can be largely attributed to a reversal of the evolutionary fuel substitution trend and “detour” to coal by populous rapidly developing countries. Dramatic reductions in both energy and carbon intensities of world economy would be necessary to stop and reverse this worrisome trend. Among proposed carbon mitigation policies, improvements in energy efficiency promise the largest near-term dividends and are central to achieving atmospheric CO2 stabilization goals.
Nazim Muradov
Chapter 6. Carbon-Neutral Energy Sources
Abstract
Among the main approaches to decarbonizing global economy, the switching to carbon-neutral energy sources such as nuclear and renewables (solar, wind, biomass, etc.) is mentioned most often. Nuclear energy is considered an important carbon mitigation option; despite the recent Fukushima accident, the majority of countries with nuclear power remain committed to its use. Renewables are no longer regarded immature technology; while the cost of some renewables has dropped significantly over the last decades (e.g., onshore wind, solar photovoltaic), the competition with fossil incumbents is still an uphill battle. There are a number of daunting technical and economic challenges and pitfalls associated with the expansion of the carbon-neutral energy sources in the energy market. This chapter analyzes the latest scientific, technological, and commercial developments in the area of carbon-neutral energy sources and fuels, as well as their carbon mitigation potential and outlook in the light of current technological trends.
Nazim Muradov
Chapter 7. Carbon Capture and Storage: In the Quest for Clean Fossil Energy
Abstract
The main objective of carbon capture and storage (CCS) is to prevent CO2 from entering the atmosphere by capturing CO2 from large industrial sources and securely storing it in various carbon sinks. CCS is considered a critical component of the portfolio of carbon mitigation solutions, because global economy heavily relies and will continue to rely on fossil fuels in the foreseeable future. Currently, there are close to 300 active and planned CCS-related projects around the world—an indication of a growing commitment to this technological option. However, despite significant progress in CCS technology, the pace of CCS commercial deployment is rather slow. The major challenges facing the large-scale CCS deployment worldwide relate to a very high financial barrier and limited economic stimuli or regulatory drivers to encourage investments in the technology. This chapter highlights scientific and engineering progress in all three major stages of the CCS chain, CO2 capture, transport, and storage, and the current status of existing and planned commercial CCS projects. Technological, economic, environmental, and societal aspects of the large-scale CCS deployment and its prospects as a major carbon abatement policy are analyzed in this chapter.
Nazim Muradov
Chapter 8. Transition to Low- and Zero-Carbon Energy and Fuels
Abstract
Switching from high-carbon to low- and zero-carbon energy sources and fuels is considered Holy Grail of the decarbonization policy. The evolutionary model of the substitution of primary energy sources predicts that methane followed by hydrogen will take over the energy market during the current century. The interplay of three energy systems based on methane, electricity, and hydrogen (dubbed Decarbonization Triangle) can greatly facilitate and expand the decarbonization of global economy. Many challenges hindering the expansion of intermittent renewable energy sources (solar and wind) could potentially be addressed by means of interconnected electricity, methane, and hydrogen grids that form a large integrated low-carbon energy network. Due to the complimentary and synergistic nature of the basic elements of the networks, in combination, they can provide more energy services per unit of primary energy with associated economic and environmental benefits. The main strategies and pathways to transitioning to low-to-zero carbon energy systems and the prerequisites for building Methane and Hydrogen Economies are analyzed in this chapter.
Nazim Muradov
Chapter 9. Industrial Utilization of CO2: A Win–Win Solution
Abstract
Carbon capture and utilization (CCU) is an attractive carbon abatement strategy because of its potential for not only preventing CO2 emissions to the atmosphere but also converting CO2 to value-added products: a win–win solution. This approach can potentially make the carbon capture process more profitable and substantially reduce the investment needs for a rather expensive CO2 storage infrastructure. Over the last few years, interest in CCU has grown significantly, and many innovative technological approaches to the industrial CO2 utilization are under development, such as CO2 conversion to construction materials, plastics, fertilizers, fuels, etc. At the same time, the analysis of the CO2 utilization market shows that all existing industrial CO2 applications consume relatively small quantities of CO2, thus for the CCU to present a practical interest as a sink for anthropogenic CO2 emissions, the markets for the CO2-derived products would need to be increased by orders of magnitude. In this chapter, existing and emerging CO2 utilization technologies are analyzed in terms of their technological maturity, market size, permanence of CO2 storage, environmental impact, potential revenue generation, and carbon mitigation potential. The current status and outlook for CO2-to-fuel conversion technologies and CO2 utilization in algal systems are highlighted in this chapter.
Nazim Muradov
Chapter 10. Carbon-Negative Options
Abstract
Considering the slow progress of current carbon mitigation policies, there is a growing recognition that the low-risk levels of atmospheric CO2 cannot be achieved without a significant carbon-negative component. Among the proposed carbon-negative solutions, bioenergy coupled with carbon capture and storage (Bio-CCS) is the most technologically advanced option. The conversion of biomass to biochar associated with negative CO2 emissions is another promising approach in the context of carbon abatement policies. Removal of CO2 from atmosphere (air capture) by chemical systems as a carbon-negative option is still in the early stage of technological development and would require the increased industrial and government support for pilot and demonstration-scale projects to drive its costs down. The current scientific and technological status, economic and environmental aspects, as well as opportunities for Bio-CCS, biochar, air capture as carbon-negative solutions are analyzed in this chapter.
Nazim Muradov
Chapter 11. Emergency Carbon Management: Geoengineering
Abstract
Geoengineering is a set of radical contingency actions to deliberately modify the Earth’s energy balance in order to counteract the adverse impact of human activities on the global ecosystem and climate. The Greenhouse Gas Management (GGM) is one of the main geoengineering strategies aiming at reducing the atmospheric CO2 levels within a reasonable time frame by enhancing an uptake and storage of carbon through a variety of biological (e.g., ocean fertilization) and chemical (e.g., enhanced weathering) engineered systems. Today, geoengineering remains a highly controversial issue; among major concerns are possible unintended planetary-scale adverse ecological impacts of the projects, and the disputable benefits of the geoengineering approach compared to other carbon mitigation strategies. Geoengineering poses acute and novel challenges that would require international cooperation, transparency, and the proactive and effective managing of research. The current status of major GGM geoengineering projects, their technical feasibility and economics, the challenges and risks associated with their global deployment are analyzed in this chapter.
Nazim Muradov
Backmatter
Metadaten
Titel
Liberating Energy from Carbon: Introduction to Decarbonization
verfasst von
Nazim Muradov
Copyright-Jahr
2014
Verlag
Springer New York
Electronic ISBN
978-1-4939-0545-4
Print ISBN
978-1-4939-0544-7
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0545-4