A planned CCS project for emissions from thermal waste treatment
For years now, efforts to reduce direct and indirect carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere have been growing in almost every sector of society. The ambitious goal is to move, step by step, towards climate neutrality. It is clear, however, that efforts in private households, businesses and politics to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions will eventually reach their limits and cannot lead to zero emissions overnight. Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) is therefore becoming increasingly important as a complementary tool for advancing the energy transition.
From Carbon Capture to Storage
CO2 capture at the
Waste-to-Energy Plant
During the waste-to-energy process, carbon dioxide would be captured using a dedicated carbon capture technology.This is a proposed procedure. Further details will be published prior to commissioning.
Temporary storage
At the CO2 hub in the Port of Bremen, the captured carbon dioxide could be temporarily stored before being transported for further use.This is a proposed procedure. Further details will be published prior to commissioning.
Transport by
specialised vessel
The purified carbon dioxide would be transported to its destination by a specialized vessel.This is a proposed procedure. Further details will be published prior to commissioning.
Planned long-term
storage
Under the proposed project,the carbon dioxide would be transported to storage sites that meet the applicable certification requirements.Information regarding permits, safety standards, and inspections will be published prior to commissioning.
Carbon dioxide is essential for life on Earth. However, an excess of CO2 in the atmosphere has been shown to drive climate change, thereby harming a climate that is favourable for humans. Carbon capture therefore involves capturing those carbon dioxide emissions that cannot be avoided, even in the future, before they enter the atmosphere.
The aim for long-term storage is to use geologically suitable storage sites that are considered very stable based on sound scientific analysis. These include empty gas or oil fields under the sea (offshore). Countries such as Norway and Denmark, for example, already operate CO2 storage sites under the North Sea.
swb is assessing the use of carbon capture in thermal waste treatment. The project is intended to capture CO2 from flue gas before it enters the atmosphere. Thermal waste treatment – that is, waste incineration – has now replaced the former practice of simply burying waste in the ground, with the associated consequences for nature and the environment. swb has already taken measures in the past to address climate and environmental protection simultaneously.
For instance, the energy released at the energy-from-waste plants ‘Müllheizkraftwerk’ (MHKW) and ‘Mittelkalorik-Kraftwerk’ (MKK) is used, on the one hand, among other things, for electricity generation, whilst on the other hand, the unavoidable waste heat is used to supply Bremen with district heating. Furthermore, flue gas cleaning systems are in operation at both swb sites. However, CO2 emissions cannot be avoided in waste incineration. Capturing carbon dioxide generated from flue gas during thermal recovery therefore offers further potential for climate and environmental protection.
A feasibility study has shown that the ‘Mittelkalorik-Kraftwerk’ at the harbour site in Bremen is ideally suited for carbon capture. Thanks to the power station’s location on the River Weser, the CO2 can be transported away by sea without the need for lengthy intermediate transport. Furthermore, the power station site offers sufficient space for retrofitting a CO2 capture plant.
Specifically, the plan is to extract carbon dioxide (CO2) from the flue gas produced by thermal waste treatment before it enters the atmosphere. This takes place in a so-called amine cycle, in which the CO2 is washed out in an absorber using an amine solution. Afterwards, according to the plan, the CO2 will be liquefied in the plant and will be ready for transport and permanent storage in suitable storage sites (see video).
The MKK site offers a further advantage: a CO2 hub involving various partner companies is set to be established in the immediate vicinity, featuring the first operational CO₂ terminal in Germany. The infrastructure is to include large storage tanks suitable for filling large vessels.
The CO2 capture plant at the medium-calorific power station would be connected directly to the CO2 hub via a short pipeline, so that the liquefied CO2 from the power station flows directly into the neighbouring tank farms. From here, the carbon dioxide can then be shipped to certified storage sites and stored there. In this way, swb not only ensures efficient transport but also saves on investment in its own storage facilities.
Major steps towards the future usually involve significant investment. Despite the synergies arising from the shared use of the neighbouring logistics infrastructure, extensive technical upgrades are also required on the MKK site – ranging from the CO2 capture plant to piping systems for connecting to the neighbouring tank farms. The total investment required is estimated at several hundred million euros.
It is swb’s stated aim and firm intention not to pass on the expected financial burdens to the waste disposal price. It is particularly encouraging that the State of Bremen and the Federal Government have signalled their support for swb’s carbon capture project, which advances Bremen as a business location and fits perfectly into the Federal Government’s ‘Carbon Management Strategy’. With the commitment of funding from the federal and state governments, the goal of this major project is within reach: the realisation of a carbon capture project at a thermal waste treatment plant in Germany!
FAQ
What is carbon capture and storage?
CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) is a technology that captures CO2 emissions that cannot be avoided before they enter the atmosphere. The captured CO2 is liquefied, transported and stored long-term in suitable geological reservoirs (e.g. depleted gas or oil fields).
Why is carbon management necessary?
To achieve climate targets, emissions must be drastically reduced. Carbon management offers a solution for industrial sectors where emissions are technically or economically difficult to avoid (‘hard-to-abate’ sectors). CCS and CCU are part of carbon management and complement one another.
What benefits does carbon management offer industry?
Carbon management helps to safeguard the competitiveness of energy-intensive industries by enabling companies to meet regulatory requirements for emissions reduction. It also creates new markets and value chains for CO2-based products in the circular economy.
What benefits does carbon management offer society?
Carbon management helps to achieve climate targets whilst maintaining Germany as a business location, including the associated jobs.
How safe is CO2 storage?
CO2 is intended to be stored in suitable, certified geological reservoirs. Storage safety depends on site selection, applicable standards and long-term monitoring.
How does carbon capture work at swb?
swb is examining the implementation of carbon capture at the Mittelkalorik-Kraftwerk (MKK). Subject to the required approvals, funding and construction, the planned facility would capture CO2 from flue gas for transport to suitable storage sites.
Why is swb launching the carbon capture project at the ‘Mittelkalorik-Kraftwerk’ (MKK)?
A feasibility study has shown that the site offers ideal conditions:
- sufficient space for carbon capture plant technology
- direct connection to the River Weser for transport by sea
This allows liquefied CO2 to be transported by ship from the MKK site via the nearby CO2 hub to suitable storage sites.
How is the CO2 transported from swb to the storage sites?
After liquefaction, the CO₂ is piped to a tank farm at a new CO₂ hub in the immediate vicinity. From there, its onward transport by ship to suitable, certified geological storage sites is organised.
Is carbon management an alternative to renewable energy?
No. Carbon management complements renewable energy by reducing emissions that are difficult to avoid. It serves to reduce unavoidable emissions, such as those produced by waste incineration or lime and cement production.