Exploring Potential Non-CCUS Pathways for Emissions-Free Energy

To be effective in addressing the emissions challenge on the global scale, the focus has to be on the processes that are inexpensive to implement and can be applied at a massive scale. CCS satisfies the ‘massive scale’ condition but at present falls short of satisfying the ‘inexpensive’ part. The CCUS approaches (other than CO₂ based EOR) where useful products from CO₂ are hoped to be monetized to offset costs, take the focus even farther away from the desired objective. This is because (a) costs increase due to required energy input, and (b) market value of the products, and hence the desired monetization cannot survive the massive oversupply thus created. A more direct and efficient strategy involves either converting CO₂ into a (non-monetizable) solid or liquid with minimal energy input, or restricting the waste by-product of the fuel oxidation process to be in a liquid or solid state that does not interact with the atmosphere to add to the greenhouse gas effect. The paper presents novel lower REDOX approaches as more energy-efficient and affordable alternatives to provide emissions-free energy. A strong case is made with available information for the techno-economic viability of these methods, and gaps identified for further development.