What is CCUS?
CCUS, which stands for Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage, is a method designed to physically remove carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from major industrial sources and the atmosphere. The captured CO2 can either be utilised to produce value-added products or stored permanently.
Four main components of CCUS are:
Capturing of CO2
Transportation of CO2
Storage of CO2
Utilisation of CO2
3 Main Methods of Capturing CO2
Method 1
Pre-combustion technology
- Similar to sieving the clumps from the flour before baking
- Excessive CO2 is separated from natural gas before being used to produce electricity or other natural gas products
Method 2
Post-combustion technology
- Works like a giant air purifier for factories and power plants
- Catches CO2 after fuel is burned, before it escapes into the air
- Can be added to existing facilities like fitting a filter to an exhaust pipe
Method 3
Oxy-fuel
combustion
- Burns fuel with pure oxygen instead of regular air
- Generates emissions primarily composed of CO2 and water vapour.
- Makes it easy to separate and capture CO2
- Akin to having a dedicated playroom that is easier to clean up
Future Uses of Captured CO2
CCUS projects are emerging as a crucial link in the transition towards new circular economy products, including:
Building Materials
- CO2-cured concrete
- Carbon-negative aggregates
- CO2-based insulation materials
Fuels and Energy
- Synthetic fuels (e-fuels)
- Enhanced geothermal systems
- CO2-based energy storage
Agriculture
- Greenhouse atmosphere enrichment
- Fertiliser production
- Soil amelioration
Environmental Applications
- Water treatment
- pH control in industrial processes
- Algae cultivation for biofuels
Establishing Malaysia as A Regional Hub
Establishing Malaysia as A Regional Hub
Southeast Asia is increasingly recognising the importance of CCUS as part of the broader strategy to achieve net-zero emissions. With its strategic location and vast oil and gas infrastructure, Malaysia is leveraging its advantages to establish itself as a promising regional CCUS hub in Southeast Asia.
Major CCUS Hubs in Malaysia
Establishing Malaysia as a regional CCUS hub.
Malaysia’s CCUS Potential
Malaysia views its potential CO2 storage capacity as a valuable resource, not a dumping ground.
With sufficient fields already identified for safe carbon storage, Malaysia is capable of catering to both domestic and regional emissions:
Based on the Global CCS Institute, Malaysia is estimated to possess 13.3 gigatonnes of CO2 storage capacity.
Indicatively, this storage potential surpasses Malaysia's domestic needs, suggesting long-term viability of storage capacity.
9 Key Messages
1
CCUS Initiative Is Safe
COP28 has urged and recommended member countries to invest in and accelerate the use of low-carbon technology such as CCUS, and IPCC has confirmed that the storage of CO2 in geological formations is safe, with the probability of leakage less than 0.001%.
2
CCUS Is Needed To Help Malaysia Achieve Net Zero Aspiration By 2050
NETR has identified CCUS as one of the six energy transition levers for decarbonisation that is in line with NIMP. Therefore, CCUS is necessary to help Malaysia to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050.
3
CCUS Reduces the Impact of Climate Change
An increase in CO2 in the atmosphere will result in rise in sea levels, reduction in agricultural yields, increase in heat-related diseases and destruction of biodiversity.
4
Managing CCUS Risk Through the Development of Comprehensive Legislation and Regulations and Effective Governance of CCUS Activities in Malaysia
There are 5 risks identified including environmental degradation and CO2 leakage at storage sites that can be addressed by a robust and wholesome legislation and standards.
5
CCUS Helps Local Hard To Abate Sectors To Address CO2 Emissions
The hard to abate sector in Malaysia is expected to contribute between 8% to 19% of CO2 emissions by 2050. CCUS will enable this sector to maintain their competitiveness in the future.
6
CCUS Reduces Decarbonisation Costs for Local Hard To Abate Sectors
The implementation of CCUS as a decarbonisation method has the potential to help the sector save between USD120 and USD130 million in capital expenditures, cumulatively by 2050.
7
Malaysia Has the Potential to Become a CCUS Regional Hub
Malaysia has potential CO2 storage site estimated at over 150Gt (13.3Gt from depleted oil and gas reservoirs and 140Gt from saline aquifers) coupled with our added advantages.
8
CCUS Drives New Industry Growth
Blue hydrogen and blue ammonia industries as well as CO2 utilisation to created value added products and services such as concrete curing and e-fuels.
9
CCUS Increases Malaysia's GDP
CCUS will increase the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by USD200 to USD250 billion and create up to 200,000 job opportunities at the peak of activities in 2050.
CCUS Empowering Economic Benefits
for Malaysia
CCUS Empowering Economic Benefits for Malaysia
GVA
200-250
billion USD
Cumulative Gross Value Added by 2050
Source: PETRONAS
New Job
Creation
200,000
cumulative per year
Direct and indirect jobs created by 2050
Source: PETRONAS
CCUS Initiatives
Transforming emissions into opportunities
Steel Manufacturing
Cement Admixture
Petrochemical Feedstock
Steel Manufacturing
Cement Admixture
Petrochemical Feedstock
E-Fuel
Generation
E-Fuel Generation
Fertiliser and
Agricultural Production
Oil and Gas Operations
Moments
MySay: Decarbonising the future: The role of CCUS in tackling climate crisis
Image Source: theedgemalaysia.com Published by The Edge Malaysia (25 November 2024). For more details, read the full news coverage here:
Malaysia mahu memastikan industri CCUS disegerakan secepat mungkin – Rafizi
Image Source: astroawani.com Published by Astro Awani (14 August 2024). For more details, read the full news coverage here: Malaysia mahu
