Central Conclusions out of the RECCS project

Recent scientific findings on climate change suggest a much more rapid disruption of the climate system than was assumed only a few years ago. On the one hand, this increases the pressure to convert the energy system from fossil fuels to renewable energies and to improve energy efficiency. On the other hand, however, the risks involved also make it necessary to look at technologies which enable the use of oil, coal and gas by removing CO2 from exhaust gas.

The "low-CO2 power plant" has been much discussed recently. This refers to the separation of CO2 at power plants and storage in suitable repositories (for example, injection into depleted natural gas reservoirs), which is known as carbon capture and storage (CCS). Despite extensive discussion and initial investment decisions, there are still a great many unresolved questions:

Is it actually possible to ensure and monitor that greenhouse gases remain in the ground for geological periods of time?

Can concentration on such technologies prevent or delay the necessary switch to renewable energies and energy efficiency, or is CCS an important bridging technology during this transition?

In what regions is CCS an important element of climate protection, or even essential for these countries to achieve ambitious climate protection goals, and how can these technologies be implemented there?

Against this background this presentation draws central conclusions out of the RECCS project ("Ecological Comparison of Renewable Energy Technologies (RE) with Other Options for Climate Protection especially Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)). Chances and risks of this technology which is still under development are outlined. The presentation was held on September 29th 2006 on a CCS forum within the KyotoPlus congress in Berlin.