Evaluation index of carbon capture and utilization: A German perspective and beyond

Abstract

While there is no lack of technical options for CCS and storage capacities are available, the question arises as to whether and under what conditions CCS could become a key element within the framework of implementing climate protection strategies. To answer this question, an integrated technology evaluation is required covering technical, economic, environmental, and social considerations. In order to play a decisive role in climate protection strategies, five key challenges are identified, that must be overcome: (1) ‘demonstration of an industrial scale and commercial availability’, (2) ‘environmental and safety requirements’, (3) ‘cost efficiency and economic viability’, (4) ‘coordination of energy and climate policy’, and (5) ‘public acceptance’. Given the different quantitative and qualitative analyzes of the five key challenges and the results of subsequent expert interviews, the OECD approach of a composite index for evaluation is used. The experts surveyed criterion (2) ‘environmental and safety requirements’ as being most fulfilled (rating of 3.00), although 3.00 does not even come close to achieving the maximum (5.00), and criterion (5) ‘public acceptance’ (rating of 1.32) as being least fulfilled. Criterion (1) ‘demonstration of an industrial scale and commercial availability’ was also evaluated relatively positively (rating of 2.84), while (3) ‘cost efficiency and economic viability’ fared poorly with a rating of 1.86.