{"id":14269,"date":"2024-01-18T12:23:12","date_gmt":"2024-01-18T12:23:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/TheNextWeb=1403124"},"modified":"2024-01-18T12:23:12","modified_gmt":"2024-01-18T12:23:12","slug":"worlds-largest-carbon-capture-plant-is-uks-next-big-white-elephant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/?p=14269","title":{"rendered":"World\u2019s largest carbon capture plant is UK\u2019s \u2018next big white elephant\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In a move that has sparked widespread criticism from scientists and politicians alike, the UK government has approved plans to install carbon capture technology at Britain\u2019s largest power plant.<\/span><\/p>\n

Under the plans, power<\/a> generator <\/span>Drax will install so-called bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) technology at two of four biomass units at the Drax power station in Yorkshire.<\/span><\/p>\n

Drax switched from burning coal to burning biomass \u2014 mostly wood pellets \u2014 in 2019. The Drax power station, which produces around 4% of the UK\u2019s power, mostly burns wood imported from North America. <\/span><\/p>\n

Despite the switch, the plant was identified last year by climate think tank Ember as the country\u2019s <\/span>single largest CO2 emitter<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

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However, according to Drax, its power station is climate neutral because the emissions from the wood it burns are offset by the CO2 absorbed by regrowing trees in place of those that were cut down. <\/span><\/p>\n

By adding BECCS, the power station would become the world\u2019s first \u201ccarbon-negative\u201d power plant and the largest carbon capture plant globally, the company claims. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

The firm points to <\/span>research<\/span><\/a> published (albeit commissioned by the power company) from independent consultancy Baringa, suggesting the plant would strip 8 million tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere annually.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis research shows BECCS at Drax Power Station offers the most cost-effective, straightforward, and efficient way to help the <\/span>country meet climate targets and could save billions of pounds, remove millions of tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere, and support the UK\u2019s energy security,\u201d said Will Gardiner, CEO of Drax Group.<\/span><\/p>\n

Drax\u2019s carbon capture units are set to be installed in 2030.  <\/span> <\/span>  <\/span><\/p>\n

How will it work? <\/b><\/h2>\n

BECCS is basically like putting a giant lid on a power plant, capturing its emissions, and storing them underground in liquid form.  <\/span><\/p>\n

Under the approved plans, after the pellets are burned to produce power, flue gas containing emitted carbon dioxide would be cooled and treated before being sent through an absorption tower to remove the greenhouse gas. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/i><\/a>The Drax power station was the UK\u2019s top emitter in 2023 despite its recent switch from burning coal to wood. Credit: Drax<\/figcaption>