What is Carbon Capture & Utilization?
Think of CCU like the most high-tech vacuum you've ever seen. I'll explain it like a double acronym that simultaneously shows the process of how it works -
- Carbon: Like a sophisticated vacuum that can identify specific debris, carbon capture can identify carbon molecules (CO2) in the atmosphere from others
- Capture: The vacuum then sucks the carbon molecules from the atmosphere and stores it to be used in different applications or to be pumped underground.
- Utilization: The stored carbon is then transformed into valuable resources that can be used to create fuel, building materials, diamonds and much more.
If you're more of a diagram person - here's one from the IEA that explains the process:
You can check out new carbon capture developments and see how we're progressing at the IEA's website linked here: https://www.iea.org/energy-system/carbon-capture-utilisation-and-storage#tracking
