„Carbon management is an essential part of tackling climate change“

With its carbon management strategy, the German government is taking a stand and positioning itself for the further use and permanent storage of carbon dioxide. “If safety requirements are met and economically viable incentives are provided, this opens up great opportunities for the energy transition,” emphasizes Silvio Konrad, energy expert at TÜV NORD.

“Before the instruments of carbon management take effect, the focus should always be on avoiding carbon dioxide. This includes, for example, improving energy efficiency in all sectors, using renewable energies or more sustainable land use and forestry. However, the permanent storage of unavoidable CO2 emissions at the end of the value chain can also be part of the solution for tackling climate change,” says Silvio Konrad, Chairman of the Board of Management of TÜV NORD EnSys. Greenhouse gases will continue to be produced in certain sectors such as the cement and lime industries, basic chemicals and waste incineration. For these branches of industry and other unavoidable sources of carbon dioxide, the carbon management strategy presented by the German government now lays the long-awaited foundation for the sustainable management of greenhouse gases. There are promising approaches, including tried and tested processes: For example, CO2 can be further used in many ways (Carbon Capture and Utilization, CCU) or permanently stored (Carbon Capture and Storage, CCS) and thus removed from the carbon cycle.

“However, clear rules and effective monitoring by supervisory authorities and expert organizations are particularly important in order to detect misuse at an early stage and ensure that only the intended CO₂ is stored. Emissions must be precisely quantified and verified to ensure that only unavoidable quantities are stored,” emphasizes Silvio Konrad. To this end, companies should report transparently on their activities and document their CO₂ storage in a comprehensible manner.

Politically driven incentives

According to Konrad, there will be significant movement in the field of carbon capture and storage in Germany at the latest when the taxes on CO2 emissions are higher than the costs of CCS measures. With a current CO2 price of around 45 euros/tonne in Germany and CCS costs of between 70 and 250 euros/tonne of CO2[1], there is still no incentive for the economy to act accordingly. Only through gradually increasing CO2 taxes and other politically controlled measures, e.g. carbon difference contracts or financial incentives, could corresponding CCS projects be made economically viable. Some neighboring European countries are already taking this approach.

Technology harbors opportunities and risks

“CO2 is basically an easily controllable medium,” says Konrad. It is non-flammable and non-toxic in normal atmospheric concentrations. In general, there is a risk of leaks during transportation or in CCS processes - but this applies to any type of transportation or storage of gases or liquids. “With specific specifications when selecting the means of transport and the storage sites, correspondingly elaborate sealing and very close monitoring during transport and operation, we believe that the risk is manageable and that dealing with possible leaks can be well planned,” says Silvio Konrad. “Well-known plant technology and processes are used, which we support comprehensively with our technical safety expertise.” However, according to the expert, it is particularly important for CCS projects that strict safety standards are adhered to in order to minimize the risk of leaking gas. “As CCS is not yet being operated commercially on a broad scale, these projects should be closely monitored by experts. Further research and experience gained, for example in projects abroad, will help to further improve the technology.”

At the same time, CO2 offers numerous opportunities for companies to expand their services and develop innovative solutions. The economic opportunities as well as the political and ecological necessity of using sustainable technologies make expertise in dealing with CO2 a forward-looking focus for companies in various sectors, the energy expert continued. Carbon management can therefore be seen as a potential opportunity for innovation and growth, as a driver for new business in plant and infrastructure construction and as a climate protection measure.

Expertise along the value chain

The TÜV NORD GROUP supports holistic approaches to the carbon cycle and is already working with various stakeholders from business and politics on the planning and implementation of projects. Operationally independent areas of the Group are involved in supporting companies with the multi-layered challenges along the entire value chain. This means, for example, the creation or validation of strategies and feasibility studies, consulting, planning and implementation in plant construction, or engineering services for distribution grids or storage facilities.

Further information: Whitepaper Carbon Management of the TÜV NORD GROUP (Link)

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