The goals of reducing CO2 emissions and finding green energy alternatives are relevant globally, in Denmark, and in Hirtshals. Hirtshals Harbor aims to become the greenest harbor in Europe and is currently working on the Greenport Scandinavia project to achieve this goal.
Greenport North (video) is a development company under Hirtshals Harbor, responsible for facilitating the progress of this project.
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is crucial for the national and global objective of achieving CO2 neutrality and thereby mitigating global climate change.
We believe that achieving CO2 neutrality is impossible without CCS, and humanity risks facing potentially overwhelming and catastrophic climate changes. Gradually, CCS can be integrated and combined with Carbon Capture Usage (CCU), where CO2 is used as a raw material to produce, for examples, E-fuels. This can speed up the process toward climate neutrality. However, before we begin the CCU journey, we need access to substantial amounts of electricity, such as from offshore wind turbines.
1) CO2 Released from Burning Fossil Fuels – Fossil CO2If we store fossil CO2, we maintain the status quo. This means the CO2 released from oil and gas from the underground is stored again. This accounting "nets zero."
2) CO2 Released from Processes like Converting Manure into Approximately 60% Biogas and 40% CO2 – Biogenic CO2 (Non-Fossil CO2)If we store biogenic CO2, we achieve negative emissions, which is highly desirable. This means that if we store biogenic CO2 in the subsurface (not derived from burning oil), we achieve a reduction in the CO2 present in the atmosphere. This situation is much better than when the accounting "nets zero."
Carbon Capture TechnologyCO2 capture is a well-known technology that has been used internationally for many years. The most cost-effective method is to capture the CO2 that comes out of a chimney. However, it is also possible to capture the CO2 that is in the air around us, but this is a much more expensive and less efficient way to do it.
For further information, see for example:
-
Agreement on Strengthened Framework Conditions for CCS in Denmark: A broad agreement between the majority of parties in the Danish Parliament, which also frames the UN's view on how the goals of the Paris Agreement can be achieved.
- The Danish Energy Agency's
Website on CCS – Capture and Storage of CO2 To effectively communicate and engage with stakeholders who are interested in or concerned about Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), we need a comprehensive communication strategy and platform. This should integrate the latest research, learning, and experiences to create a holistic view of the potential consequences of CCS.
Understanding that CCS is a complex topic, our goal is to develop a platform that addresses different levels of knowledge and perspectives. From public concerns to professional insights, best practices and associated risks for this topic. Therefore you may consider to look into:
Stakeholder Analysis - How can we create an overview of the needs, potentials, and risks associated with CCS – based on research-based knowledge?
Idea Development - What tools support the above analyses?
Communication Strategy/Platform - How do we convey fact-based information?
Other Supplementary Initiatives - What additional measures can be implemented, and what should they specifically consist of?
Opinion makers with an interest in CCS likely exist in many layers and professions in Denmark, and it is important to define them and subsequently address their need for information and possibly uncover concerns in their context.
- NGOs
- Local, regional, and national politicians
- Civil servants working with CCS and related areas (such as environmental - regulation and permits for installation, commissioning, etc.)
- Professional and news journalists
- Trade unions, universities, schools, etc.
Relevant Stakeholders, Actors, Analyses, and Data:
- Relevant Research
- Research Centers: e.g., GEUS:
GEUS Geological Storage of CO2- Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Utilities
- NGOs with an interest in CCS
- Politicians
- Locals living near the storage site
- Locals living near the pipeline infrastructure
Cases:
- For several decades, the population near Stenlille has lived with a gas storage facility as a neighbor:
Gas Storage Denmark- Perhaps we can reuse communication experiences from how Gas Storage Denmark has communicated with the local population.
Inspiration:
Understand CCS in a minute:
GEUS Geological Storage of CO2How CCS is stored underground:
YouTube VideoAlso see the video from the University of Bergen:
YouTube Video from Bergen University.