Environmental evaluation of CCS using Life Cycle Assessment - a synthesis report

In the last years several studies have investigated carbon capture and storage (CCS) from a life cycle perspective focusing on the environmental performance. Scope of this study is to compare systematically the different approaches, to summarise the results, address methodological variations and formulate guidelines to assign the various conclusions gathered from the studies. CCS is a wide field with various technological options. All studies show the expected reduction in GWP but often an increase in other impact categories, regardless of capture technology and fuel considered. Three parameter sets have been identified, which have a significant impact on the results: a) development of plant efficiencies and energy penalties; b) capture efficiency and purity of the CO2; c) fuel origin and composition. Although there are still big differences in the underlying assumptions of the studies and also some methodological shortcomings, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has proved to be a helpful tool to investigate the environmental consequences related to the introduction of CCS. Nevertheless, the number of existing studies is not sufficient to give a comprehensive picture and there is still a wide field of subjects and technologies which have not been covered yet. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd.