Why GCC?
Our process and unique approach
As carbon emissions continue to escalate, it is increasingly apparent that an approach integrating both renewable energy and Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) technologies are needed to curtail atmospheric CO2 levels. Carbon utilization not only encompasses CO2 storage but also its direct application. In the United States, fossil fuel power plants contribute to 30% of the total U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and they are projected to remain a substantial component of global energy consumption for the coming decades. Furthermore, the industrial sector accounts for 21% of total U.S. GHG emissions.
Green Carbon Capture Inc. is poised to address this urgency and need by developing a technology capable of capturing emissions directly from the source, which constitutes 51% of all emissions, and through direct air capture. The captured CO2 will then be utilized for hydrocarbon production, storage, and commercialization.
Demand is a pivotal factor in the viability and success of a technology, be it renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, or carbon removal technology. A report by Princeton University explored various scenarios for energy transition. One scenario highlighted the midland region of the USA as the most suitable region for renewable energy projects. However, a separate study examining states with the highest potential for solar and wind revealed that these states, predominantly located in the middle of the USA, have the lowest population densities, which directly translates to lower energy demands. Given that the power grid is designed to match energy output with demand, which is directly related to population density, renewable energy projects cannot be deployed in areas where their outputs would yield higher energy production potential. This presents a challenge to the economically viable transition to renewable energy sources. For instance, GLC Solar developers proposed a 500 kW solar project in the city of Derby in northern Vermont. However, the Vermont Public Utilities Commission denied the project, “citing constraints on the region’s electrical grid and potential impacts on existing projects.”
In the case of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) projects without utilization plans, these generate less demand in the industry due to the high cost of storing CO2. A nonpartisan analysis for the U.S. Congress by the Congressional Budget Office states that “Relatively large sources of CO2 emissions, such as electric power generation and some industrial production, tend to have CO2 capture costs toward the upper end of that range. Consequently, those sectors have had little economic reason to adopt CCS. The main financial incentives to use CCS are revenues from enhanced oil recovery and a federal tax credit for capturing and storing CO2.”. The availability of CO2 pipelines for transportation also influences the adoption of CCS technology. The electrical grid and renewables are challenged when it comes to transmitting energy generated in remote areas to more densely populated areas. This further underscores the complexities involved in transitioning to renewable energy and carbon capture technologies. Interestingly, the success and feasibility of renewable energy technologies are tied with feasible energy storage solutions when energy sources are unavailable for power production.
GCC Inc. believes that due to the versatility of hydrocarbons and their demand, our approach will provide a technologically viable and economically feasible solution to the challenges in energy transition to renewables, energy distribution and storage. The conversion of energy produced by renewable sources into hydrocarbons, such as Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), enables the utilization of existing infrastructure. CNG is predominantly composed of Methane (CH4), accompanied by other hydrocarbon residuals ranging from C2 to C10+. A comparison between CNG’s energy content at a lower heating value to alternative energy storage solutions shows the advantages of our approach and philosophy. In this comparative analysis of energy density between CNG and a current alternative, lithium-ion batteries, it was observed that CNG possesses an energy density that is approximately 7.5 times greater. The superior energy density of CNG facilitates its storage for longer periods when alternative energy production methods are not viable, such as at night, during periods of low wind speeds, or amid natural disasters.
The storage techniques for CNG are also well-established, inherently safe, and supported by a broad network of commercial suppliers and a skilled workforce. The transportation and transmission of energy are pivotal factors in the feasibility of transitioning to renewable energy sources. A study conducted by Princeton University underscores the necessity for a significant expansion of infrastructure to deliver electricity to meet the energy demands in densely populated regions. In these areas, the installation of renewable energy sources may not be feasible due to efficiency concerns and elevated costs.
Because existing infrastructure can be utilized, this facilitates the transmission and transportation of stored energy to densely populated areas without the need for new infrastructure, such as high-powered lines required for electricity transmission. Our carbon capture technology will streamline the transition to renewable energy sources, making it more efficient, faster, and cost-effective. This will pave the way for the accelerated adoption of green technologies through direct air capture and direct capture from emission sources.
Achieving net-zero emissions necessitates the adoption of both green energy production methods and carbon capture technologies to capture emissions not only from the atmosphere but also directly from the source. Given that underground carbon storage is not economically viable, companies will be incentivized to utilize GCC’s process and technology to recycle carbon emissions into hydrocarbons for reuse or revenue generation. This approach directly mitigates the generation of additional emissions from industrial activities by recycling emissions into hydrocarbons, thereby reducing the need for extraction of hydrocarbons from the ground.