How Many Failed Flagship CCS Projects Will It Take?
Less than two weeks ago, Greenpeace released a damning report on carbon capture and storage (CCS) labelled “False Hope” which outlined the problems associated with the unproven technology. Central to CSS’s flaws is that it’s proponents are asking us to pin our hopes that it may be available by 2030. This in unacceptable given there are proven solutions to help us reduce greenhouse pollution now – 2030 is just too late if you want to seriously tackle climate change.
Since then, the Rudd government has handed down its first budget which all but killed off the domestic solar industry and re-committed billions to support the profitable coal industry. Rudd’s rationale for means testing the solar subsidy is that the government has to draw the line somewhere. Obviously the line is different, depending on whether you’re an “Australian working family” on over $100,000 income and want to do something to reduce your greenhouse pollution, or whether your a multi-billion dollar corporation.
Every dollar the government spends on CCS is a dollar that could have been spent on renewables or efficiencies. For example if Kevin Rudd chose to fund 100% of the cost of insulation for 1,000,000 households at a cost of $500 each, the average saving would be up to 2000GWh, which would also reduce greenhouse emissions by 2 million tonnes. So not only would over a million Australians save money on their electricity bills, but nationally we would have immediately cut our greenhouse pollution.
One of CCS’s shining lights was BP and Rio Tinto’s Kwinana Project in Western Australia. Spruiked as the “ideal location” for such a project, these two heavyhitters were talking up the prospects with the likelihood of the project being up and running by 2014. But just this week, both companies – with everything to gain from keeping coal in Australia’s energy mix – have pulled out of the project. Unlike the fanfare and hype that surrounded the Otway carbon demonstration injection well, the collapse of the Kwinana project has caused barely more than a ripple in the public debate on CCS. What is Kevin Rudd’s response to this development and it’s impact on meeting the deadline to prove CCS is more than a theory?
Two fossil fuel companies with much at stake failed in their globally trumpeted CCS project due to technical reasons. Instead of this failed project giving the government serious consideration of the dubious merits of the grand CCS experiment, they have this week announced their renewed invigoration for undersea CCS.
How many failed flagship CCS projects will it take for the Rudd government to get serious about implementing immediate solutions to turn around greenhouse emissions? Rather than killing of the fledgling domestic solar industry, the Rudd government should be thinking about how to reduce our reliance on oil and coal.
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May 24th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
The tried and trusted political shell game of diversion, distortion and fear has long been applied to the climate debate but it can only succeed if we get distracted by the bluster. It is imperative that we stay on focus by shining a light on the lies and misdirection of the establishment. ccs is the ultimate shell game move. Centralized power generation and corporate greed seeks to make profit out of the death of the planet as well as the cause of that demise. Greed at its worst, they would seek to profit by selling the rope used to hang themselves with realization only occurring as the noose finally snaps closed.
Decentralized power generation in its many forms; chp, wind, Micro hydro etc. would save on the insane degree of waste in the form of heat and infrastructure that centralization brings. It would also play into the theory that competition is good for the community by providing cheaper energy, more jobs etc. The chance to reduce the massive grid network that is so inefficient and causes such a blight on the landscape is yet another of the many benefits.
There is no one species more deserving of existence than another, especially not that most deadly species the SHAREHOLDER. GREED WILL DESTROY ALL.
May 28th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
You are right on Arthur. I have a solar powered home,P.V and hot water stand alone for about 26 years.The energy companies have put the last 200 years into getting a monopoly on energy and that is why their resistance to energy decentralization is so full on. But they can do what they like it wont stop people going alone with their own energy systems.Renewable energy has gone past the point of no return and people will go from mains power regardless what the Government says or does to back up the energy companies.There is a base level of common sense in the public and it is coming forward in support of renewables as a means of getting the world out of the fossil fuel mess it is in.
June 5th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
Although I would rejoice to see Australia’s power grid supplied by cleaner methods than the cuurent coal power stations, I am also aware that the amounts of power being fed back into the system from solar power users has caused instablities in the grid. Yet this intelligience is not commonly known nor discussed. Solutions are all well and good but if the “solutions” only create greater problems then surely common sense would demand a steady and considered approach. Development of replacement power stations that are speedily fired up ( 30 mins to 1 hour) rather than the painfully slow 3 days of the coal stations should be a priority. The solar power industry has I feel moved from the so called fledgling stage. Anyone undertaking a commercial/industrial enterprise should do their homework and build from sound finacial business practises and not rely on government subsides to provide them with a client base.
Solar power has proved itself a worthy competitor. I can only hope that those who are making money from selling the units are doing so with true dedication to renewable energy and not just becoming yet another greedy energy company, demanding attention and its share of the market.
June 14th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
I cannot believe Rudd is killing off the solar industry and I did have very high hopes with our new PM.
Its up to the Renewable Energy Industries to find true investors, the people and businesses who understand whats at stake, like their jobs, their childrens world who will be affected by stupid decisions about energy.
There are other Renewable Energy companies in the world who are already forging ahead maybe you could invest with them and theres also plenty of people like me who would like to participate in the solutions.
July 18th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Below is the text of an email I sent yesterday to Penny Wong MP, Minister for Climate Change and Water.
Would you mind copying it to any Greenpeace people who may be interested?
The Webdiary article referred to endorses the Greenpeace criticisms of CCS, as set out in ‘False Hope’, and adds two more, which I believe to be crucial on the medium to long term scale.
Thanks,
Ian MacDougall
Dear Minister,
I would like to draw your attention to an article I have written entitled ‘The Future of Carbon’, which has been published at http://webdiary.com.au/cms/?q=node/2424
It make be of some use to you and your staff in future policy making.
It sets out my reasons for believing that carbon capture and storage may be one of the most disastrous of all follies in the history of the human race.
Ian MacDougall