Carbon Capture and Storage
                     CARBON CAPTURE AND 
STORAGE
INTRODUCTION
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is a way 
of reducing carbon emissions, which could 
be key to helping to tackle global warming. 
Source: www.nationalgrid.com
Process
It’s a three-step process, involving: 
capturing the carbon dioxide produced by 
power generation or industrial activity, such 
as steel or cement making; transporting it; 
and then storing it deep underground.
Source: www.nationalgrid.com
What is CCS?
CCS involves the capture of carbon dioxide 
(CO2) emissions from industrial processes, 
such as steel and cement production, or 
from the burning of fossil fuels in power 
generation. 
This carbon is then transported from where 
it was produced, via ship or in a pipeline, 
and stored deep underground in geological 
formations.
Source: www.nationalgrid.com
How can CCS help prevent 
global warming?
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate 
Change (IPCC) highlighted that, if we are to 
achieve the ambitions of the Paris 
Agreement and limit future temperature 
increases to 1.5°C (2.7°F), we must do more 
than just increasing efforts to reduce 
emissions – we also need to deploy 
technologies to remove carbon from the 
atmosphere.
Source: www.nationalgrid.com
HOW DOES CCS WORK?
Capturing the carbon 
dioxide for storage
The CO2 is separated from other gases 
produced in industrial processes, such as 
those at coal and natural-gas-fired power 
generation plants or steel or cement 
factories.
Source: www.nationalgrid.com
Transport
The CO2 is then compressed and 
transported via pipelines, road transport or 
ships to a site for storage.
Source: www.nationalgrid.com
Storage
Finally, the CO2 is injected into rock 
formations deep underground for permanent 
storage.
Source: www.nationalgrid.com
Where are carbon 
emissions stored in 
CCS?
Possible storage sites for carbon emissions 
include saline aquifers or depleted oil and 
gas reservoirs, which typically need to be 
0.62 miles (1km) or more under the ground.
Source: www.nationalgrid.com
Is storing carbon as 
part of CCS safe?
According to industry body the Global CCS 
Institute, CCS is ‘a proven technology that 
has been in safe operation for over 45 
years. 
It adds that all components of CCS are 
proven technologies that have been used 
for decades on a commercial scale.
Source: www.nationalgrid.com