Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) processes remove carbon dioxide (CO₂) that would otherwise be emitted from fossil fuel power stations and other industrial processes and transport it for permanent underground storage. In Great Britain (GB), storage of CO₂ will only take place offshore in saline formations or depleted oil and gas fields.

CCS is an integrated process involving three stages:

Capture of CO₂ from power stations and other large industrial sources,
Transporting CO₂ (usually in pipelines) to a storage site,
Permanent storage of CO₂ in deep geological features.

About CCS

General hazards of CO2

CO₂ is not harmful to health at low concentrations. It is not flammable and will not support combustion. However, at high concentrations CO₂ is a recognised workplace hazard where it can cause headaches, dizziness, confusion and loss of consciousness. Fatalities by asphyxiation have also occurred where CO₂ has displaced oxygen in confined spaces.

General Hazards of CO₂

Regulating CCS

CCS is a new process and there are currently no commercial scale projects operating in GB. Future CCS operators will be able to make sure that their CCS processes are safe for workers and members of the public by complying with existing health and safety legislation and by taking a proportionate approach to managing CCS risks.

Regulating CCS

Resources

More resources

Major hazard potential of CCS

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