The role of carbon capture and storage (CCS)

An argument for expansion of coal fired power stations often comes with a promise of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies, but it is often argued that these technologies are unproven.  A new working paper from DIW Berlin discusses the possibilities of CCS and argues that CCS combined with IGCC could be economically viable at a CO2 price in the range of Euro 30-50/t. CCS for conventional hard coal plants would increase the price of electricity by 3-4 cents (EUR)/Kwh (At an exchange rate of R10 for 1 Euro that is in the range of 30-40c/Kwh). 

The paper highlights that full scale commercialisation of CCS is not expected before 2025-2040. In fact this would also make little economic sense given much cheaper greenhouse gas mitigation options available (see earlier post on Global cost of carbon mitigation).

See also Climate risks start to bite Eskom's planned coal fired power stations.