Utilization. Capturing CO2 and turning it into molecules that can be used as the building blocks for a large number of important products we use every day; that’s what the U in CCUS is all about. It’s what makes these technologies so exciting: and the number of potential applications is constantly growing. We could transform several polluting industries into forces that have a positive impact on our climate, create jobs, and improve the economy.
"Similar to how a plant takes carbon dioxide, sunlight, and water to make sugars for itself, we are interested in using technology to take energy from the sun or other renewable sources to convert CO2 into small building block molecules which can then be upgraded using traditional means of chemistry for commercial use," says Phil De Luna, a PhD candidate in materials science [at the University of Toronto]. "We're taking inspiration from nature and doing it faster and more efficiently."
It’s encouraging to see people looking more seriously at CCUS and acknowledging that it will be a crucial part of our future. The timeline shown in this article will only improve as more investment into research and development pours in.