Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS)

Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS): NITI Aayog recently organized a pivotal workshop titled "Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) in the Indian Cement Sector" at Vigyan Bhawan.

• About: CCUS is a set of technologies that capture carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and store or reuse them. It is a key technology for reducing emissions and meeting climate goals.
• Objective: Discuss sector-specific decarbonization approaches and explore CCUS technologies.

o CCUS in Cement Sector: 35% to 45% of emissions require CCUS as a key abatement lever.

o Commercializing technologies like kiln electrification and solar fuel will help but are insufficient alone.

• Potential for CCUS in India: Regions like Krishna-Godavari Basin, Deccan Traps, and mature oil and gas fields offer significant CO₂ storage capacity.

o Cement Sector accounts for 5.8% of India's CO₂ emissions.

• Innovative CO₂ utilization pathways, such as producing methanol, biodegradable plastics, and value-added chemicals, will drive a sustainable future.
• Role of DST: The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is developing CCUS technologies.

o DST set up the Centre of Excellence on "Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Sequestration" (DST-CoE-CCUS-CDI).