Bio Energy with Carbon Capture and Drax Power Station

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Questions and Answers

What significant change occurred at Drax Power Station between 2012 and 2020?

It became a gas-fired power plant.

It was closed for environmental reasons.

It increased its coal consumption significantly.

It switched to burning sustainable wood pellets. (correct)

What is the expected CO2 removal potential of BECCS in the UK by 2050?

30-50 million tonnes of CO2 per year.

10-20 million tonnes of CO2 per year.

50-100 million tonnes of CO2 per year.

20-70 million tonnes of CO2 per year. (correct)

What is a substantial feature of Drax Power Station's environmental upgrades in the 2000s?

Installation of wind turbines.

Implementation of flue-gas desulfurization units. (correct)

Introduction of solar panels.

Complete replacement of coal with gas.

What is the estimated cost of electricity generation from Drax's BECCS plans?

Close to £150 per MWh. Signup and view all the answers

How much CO2 storage potential is available around the UK according to the British Geological Survey?

70 billion tonnes. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant advantage of direct air capture technology?

It can store a significant amount of carbon dioxide emissions. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary challenge associated with bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS)?

It faces policy and funding challenges. Signup and view all the answers

In post-combustion carbon capture, what is done to the waste gases?

They are captured and scrubbed clean of CO2. Signup and view all the answers

Which process increases the purity of the combustion gases in oxyfuel combustion?

Combustion enriched with higher levels of oxygen. Signup and view all the answers

What is a major requirement for the successful implementation of direct air capture technology?

Large amounts of low carbon electricity. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key issue that affects public acceptance of BECCS technologies?

Concerns regarding energy-intensive processes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of transportation in carbon capture and storage?

To move CO2 to the storage site. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential disadvantage of direct air capture technology?

Current costs are very high despite potential reductions. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant disadvantage of forest management for greenhouse gas removal?

It uses land that could be used for other activities Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true regarding peatlands and wetlands?

They can store carbon quickly at a relatively low cost. Signup and view all the answers

What main change is required when enhancing carbon storage in soil?

Adopting modern farming practices Signup and view all the answers

What challenge does using wood in construction introduce?

It limits the height of buildings. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a potential disadvantage of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS)?

It has high operational and initial costs. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential advantage of enhancing carbon storage in soil?

It provides other environmental benefits Signup and view all the answers

One major drawback of using wood in construction includes what limitation?

Difficulty in sourcing sustainable wood Signup and view all the answers

What is a key advantage of restoring peatlands and wetlands?

They can be restored quickly at a low cost. Signup and view all the answers

What is a commonly recognized disadvantage of forest management in greenhouse gas removal?

Trees take too long to mature, typically over 20 years. Signup and view all the answers

What challenge is faced when enhancing carbon storage in soil?

Farmers may require financial assistance to make changes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the estimated increase in fuel needs of power plants due to geo sequestration?

25-40% Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a disadvantage of geo sequestration?

Cost of energy increased by 21-91% Signup and view all the answers

How much has the UK government invested in geo sequestration over 25 years?

£22 billion Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of CO₂ captured is currently reinjected into oil fields for extraction?

80% Signup and view all the answers

Which category has the highest estimated allocation in the alternative plan?

Renewable Energy Expansion Signup and view all the answers

Which project demonstrates recurring technical issues and ballooning costs?

Both A and C Signup and view all the answers

What is a key reason for the higher challenge of CO₂ capture from gas power plants compared to coal?

Temperature of emissions Signup and view all the answers

What is the estimated allocation for monitoring and long-term maintenance under the UK government investment?

£1 billion Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of alternative allocation focuses on preparing buildings for decarbonization?

Energy Efficiency and Decarbonization in Buildings Signup and view all the answers

What is the allocation for promoting education and behavioral change related to sustainable lifestyles?

£0.5-1 billion Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Bio Energy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS)

BECCS combines bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (CCS)
The process aims to remove CO2 from the atmosphere
Biomass is used as a fuel source
CO2 emissions are captured and stored in geological reservoirs
BECCS has the potential to remove 20-70 million tonnes of CO2 per year in the UK by 2050

Drax Power Station

Drax Power Station is a fossil fuel and wood pellet power station built in 1974
Primary energy source is coal and wood pellets
Electrical output is 3960 MW
Energy input is 11,250 MW
Efficiency is 35%
Annual carbon footprint is 22.8 million tonnes
Set up costs are £1.25 billion
Fuel costs per MWh are £25.10
Project lifetime is 2023, or potentially longer if carbon capture and storage is implemented
Decommissioning costs are £15 million
High environmental impact due to carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide production
High reliability

Drax History

Drax was the largest coal-fired power station in the UK
It peaked at 4,000 megawatts
It symbolized Britain's industrial might in the 1980s-2000s
Drax made upgrades to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions in the 2000s
It transitioned to biomass (burning sustainable wood pellets) between 2012-2020
It became the largest renewable energy plant in the UK
Drax plans to implement BECCS technology
Largest single renewable energy generator, contributing to 5% of UK electricity generation (approximately £150 per MWh)

Drax Biomass Enterprise

Drax Biomass Enterprise includes a tree growing nursery, working forests, a saw mill and pellet plant, and ports and logistics.
These components facilitate sustainable wood pellet production for the power station

CCS Potential

The UK has 70 billion tonnes of potential CO2 storage space.
The National Grid's Net Zero Future Energy Scenarios (FES) propose the use of BECCS by 2028
The UK Climate Change Committee believes BECCS will be needed to meet 2050 emission reduction targets
Drax could develop two BECCS units by 2030, potentially delivering 40% of the negative emissions for the UK to reach net zero.

Greenhouse Gas Removal Methods

The UK Committee on Climate Change explores methods for removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere

Forests and better forest management

Forests have been used for carbon storage for centuries
It is relatively low cost to store carbon
Planting trees could significantly reduce carbon dioxide levels
It takes time for trees to grow mature (at least 10 years)
Forests could negatively affect biodiversity

Peatlands and Wetlands

Peatlands and wetlands are another method for storing carbon
It is relatively low cost to restore these for storing carbon and to store carbon for a potentially long time
However understanding of the carbon storage process is incomplete
Restoration is limited to areas of the UK that are suitable.

Enhancing the storage of carbon in soil

Soil carbon enhancement methods are well understood and can be implemented immediately.
This method could potentially be low cost.
This process could have positive economic and environmental benefits.
Changes to modern farming practices are required to support this.

Using wood in construction

Wood has been used in construction for a long time so adapting current construction processes may be a relatively low-cost solution for storing carbon.
Wood-based construction reduces carbon emissions compared to other materials
However, modern buildings may need to be smaller, which may require changes to building practices.
The scale of this solution may be limited by the availability of sustainable wood

Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS)

BECCS combines bioenergy and carbon capture and storage (CCS) to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
BECCS offers several advantages:
- Significant carbon capture
- Storage space in the UK (e.g., oil and gas fields)
Possible disadvantages:
- High costs, potentially in the start
- Land may be required for other activities, such as farming, therefore may need to be well managed or considered with other solutions
- Safe storage needs to be ensured

Direct air capture and carbon storage

Direct air capture (DAC) is a relatively new technology, still under development
Offers significant carbon dioxide capture potential, with diverse technological options
Lots of storage space is in the UK, specifically in oil and gas fields
High current costs, but costs may decrease as technology develops

Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS)

Combining bioenergy and carbon capture to remove CO2.
Drax aims to become the world's largest BECCS.
Currently, pilot projects are running worldwide
Issues include:
- Policy and Funding Challenges.
- Technological Risk
- Investment and Market Support
- Energy Intensive Process
- Infrastructure Needs
- Public Perception and Acceptance

CCS

Methods of carbon capture include pre-combustion capture, post-combustion capture, and oxyfuel combustion
Costs for CCS vary across different methods:
- 32% for gas plants
- 65% for coal-fired plants

Transportation

Methods for transporting CO2 to storage sites include pipelines and ships.

Storage: Geo Sequestration

CO2 is stored underground in geological formations, such as saline aquifers

Pros and Cons

Advantages*
Plant emissions reduced significantly (more than 80%)
Nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur oxides (SOx) are also reduced
Disadvantages*
Technology is unproven
Increased fuel emissions
Increased energy costs
High water use

UK Government investment

£22 billion over 25 years
Funds allocated to Industrial Clusters & Pipelines, Power Generation and Operational Subsidies, Direct Air Capture (DAC), Innovation and Technology Development, Private Sector Support & Co-Investment Monitoring and Long-Term Maintenance, and International Collaboration.

CCS Credentials

A history of overpromising and underdelivering CCS capacity.
Current CCS capacity is only 80% of the captured CO2 is reinjected into oil fields
Only two commercial-scale coal plants currently have CCS (Boundary Dam and Petra Nova)
More complex to capture CO2 from gas power plants than coal plants
Blue hydrogen projects have been abandoned

Alternative Allocation

The plan for alternative investment strategies. This topic is not fully developed in these notes.

Review

A summary section including Drax Power Station, the history, biomass, CCS, UK government plans and alternative plans.

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Description

Explore the intersection of bioenergy, carbon capture, and the Drax Power Station. This quiz delves into BECCS technology, its environmental impact, and the historical significance of Drax. Test your knowledge of how these elements contribute to CO2 reduction efforts.