Carbon Seminar Summary and Report

Climate change is impacting our natural world and society in many ways and addressing it is a daunting task. On October 24th, 2007 Chewonki hosted a seminar on Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). This page contains a downloadable summary report and individual slideshows by presenters. One of the learning outcomes of the day was recognition of the important role CCS technologies will take in addressing climate change on a global and national scale. It won’t replace the importance of renewable energy and improvements in energy efficiency—but the climate change problem is so big that we need all solutions working together.

Major conclusions of the day include recognition that:
- Carbon capture and storage will play an integral role in reducing CO2 emissions in the future, along with energy efficiency and renewable energy- in the US and around the world.

- There is insufficient geological information about CO2 storage potential in the Northeast in general, and Maine in particular, to adequately assess the feasibility of CCS in Maine.

- Additional research and characterization of the potential for CCS in Maine and the Northeast will be an important next step.

Chewonki would like to extend tremendous thanks to the speakers and panelists, many of whom are national experts on CCS technology. They traveled to Wiscasset and presented us with a truly world-class learning opportunity by sharing their expertise. The speakers and panelists were: David Littell (Maine DEP), Joe Chaisson (Clean Air Task Force), Eric Larson (Princeton University), Howard Herzog (MIT), Jennie Stephens (Clark University), Jay Braitsch (U.S. Department of Energy), Ken Hnottavange-Telleen (Schlumberger), Sarah Forbes (Potomac-Hudson Engineering, Inc.), Grant Bromhal (National Energy Technology Laboratory), and Jeff Bielicki (Harvard University).

Chewonki would also like to extend thanks and acknowledge the Potomac-Hudson Engineering team headed by Sarah Forbes for their efforts in organizing the event. Sarah’s expertise in the field, design of the agenda, hard work in recruiting speakers and attendees, and assistance in the logistics are greatly appreciated.

Finally, Chewonki would like to thank the 125 participants who came to the seminar to learn more about this important topic and participate in a first-of-its-kind regional discussion of the role CCS could play as Maine, and the entire Northeastern region, begins to think about moving towards carbon neutrality.

Download Summary Report

Download slideshows by speaker:

Commissioner Littell (Maine DEP)
Commissioner Littell highlighted the importance of climate change, including already observed ecological impacts resulting from climate change. He also reviewed the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and Maine’s RGGI implementation plan.

Joe Chaisson (Clean Air Task Force)
Mr. Chaisson emphasized the rapid rates of change in atmospheric CO2 concentrations. He highlighted some of the CATF’s work in China and India and noted that in China one 1,000 MW coal plant is being built each week.

Eric Larson (Princeton University)
Mr. Larson gave a technology-focused presentation on producing low-greenhouse gas liquid fuels from biomass and coal. His presentation compared the difference in CO2 footprints when liquid fuels are produced from coal, conventional sources, and biofuels, as well as combinations of sources and combined with carbon capture and storage.

Howard Herzog (MIT)
This presentation reviewed the key findings of the MIT Future of Coal study, which was released in March 2007 and addressed the role of coal in a greenhouse-gas constrained world.

Jennie Stephens, PhD (Clark University)
Dr. Stephens addressed the environmental and social implications of advancing CCS technologies. She emphasized that technology development of this character cannot happen without CO2 policies. She also discussed the difference between existing technologies that can be deployed now and revolutionary technologies that need further technological advancement, explaining how CCS spans that spectrum.

Jay Braitsch, PhD (U.S. Department of Energy)
Dr. Braitsch described the U. S. as being rich in geologic sinks for storing CO2 based on the considerable geologic information available for most areas. However, it is generally believed that geology in the New England is not as promising, although this area has not been as well-studied as most others.

Ken Hnottavange-Telleen (Schlumberger)
Mr Hnottavange-Telleen described how monitoring and site characterization can help manage the risks and performance of a carbon capture and storage project. He described both site characterization and modeling as iterative processes that occur throughout a CCS project.

Sarah Forbes (Potomac-Hudson Engineering, Inc.)
Ms. Forbes presented the results of an independent mine-to-wheels analysis of the projected CO2 emissions from the proposed Twin River Energy Center. The study evaluated the emissions from the full process including mining and transport of the coal and shipment and use of the alternative liquid fuels and found that the total mine-to-wheels emissions from the facility are projected to be 5.2 to 3.5 million US tons of CO2 each yearyear, depending on how much biomass is included in the feedstock and whether opportunities to store or reuse the 25% of CO2 captured can be realized. (Note: Analysis is undergoing a peer review; a final version will be posted when available.)

Funding for the Carbon Capture and Storage Seminar was generously provided by the following organizations and companies:

The Oak Foundation
The Kendall Foundation
An Anonymous Environmental Donor
Potomac Hudson Engineering, Inc.
FSC Global Fund
The Sheepscot Harbour Village and Resort
The Chewonki Foundation