Search

Strategies to capture and sequester ever-increasing anthropogenic CO₂ emissions include adsorbing CO₂ onto inorganic substrates and then storing it in reservoirs, changing land use to promote forestry, and converting CO₂ to chemicals and fuels. The reverse water–gas shift (RWGS) reaction is a conversion strategy for producing CO from CO₂ that provides the highest technology readiness level. Cu and alkali metals promote CO₂ adsorption, Fe improves the thermal stability, and reducible supports like CeO2 accelerate the reaction rate. Density functional theory (DFT) is a practical modeling tool for evaluating the catalytic properties of materials at the atomic scale. The active phases of the Cu- and Fe-based catalysts, the effect of bimetallic compositions, the presence of promotors, and the influence of the support material are evaluated using observations from DFT simulations and experimental data. An optimal RWGS catalyst favors (1) CO₂ adsorption, (2) the dissociation of CO₂ or intermediate carbonate species to CO, and (3) CO desorption. Typically, a single-component catalytic plane is unfavorable for all these criteria, thus necessitating the design of an optimal multicomponent RWGS catalyst. Future DFT research is directed toward multifacet catalytic systems to understand the structural configuration of a highly active RWGS system. Experimental and characterization results complement DFT studies in the design of the optimal RWGS catalyst. Machine learning trained by literature data provides an automated approach for the inverse design of high-performance, stable, and economic catalysts for the RWGS reaction. This review encompasses experimental and computational approaches to understand the activity of RWGS catalysts.

Canada has the potential to produce hydrogen as part of the clean fuel transition of its existing energy sector to a low-carbon economy, commitment that will support reaching net-zero emissions goal by 2050. Domestic hydrogen production is leveraged by the availability of diverse energy sources from fossil fuels to renewable electricity. Canada has the one of the cleanest electricity systems in the world with over 83% of electricity from non-emitting sources. Additionally, production of low-carbon hydrogen has the potential to be internationally traded. However, it is necessary to define and measure the carbon intensities of potential hydrogen production pathways in Canada in order to define low-carbon hydrogen in future standards. It is within this context that the National Research Council Canada (NRC), through its Advanced Clean Energy Program, has undertaken the development of a Life Cycle Assessment of Hydrogen Production Pathways in Canada Study, with support of the Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)’s Office of Energy Research and Development (OERD) and collaborators CanmetENERGY in Devon (CE-D), and CanmetENERGY in Varennes (CE-V) of NRCan, which have joined their efforts and expertise to provide hydrogen production process simulation results to complete the current study. The purpose of this study is to develop a detailed and complete methodology based on a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach to assess different carbon intensities of hydrogen production in order to provide a consistent and verifiable greenhouse gases (GHG) estimation, including definition of system boundaries and building life cycle inventories for a Canadian context. Additionally, this report provides results of performing the proposed LCA-based methodological framework for two hydrogen production pathways in a Canadian context using steam methane reforming with natural gas and without carbon capture and alkaline electrolysis using grid electricity. After performing a scoping review of relevant hydrogen LCA peer-reviewed studies, critical life cycle assessment methodological options were identified for harmonizing LCA of hydrogen production frameworks. Based on current life cycle assessment normative, a methodological framework is developed to quantify carbon intensities of hydrogen production. LCA methodological choices such as definition of functional unit, system boundaries, and life cycle inventory criteria are aligned to relevant and current low-carbon intensity hydrogen standards. The LCA-based methodology is an attributional LCA, with the system boundaries being to the point of hydrogen production (‘well-to-gate’ approach). The life cycle inventory data for the foreground system comes from modelling and simulation results of the processes selected in this study. A life cycle assessment was conducted to the steam methane reforming as baseline pathway and the alkaline electrolysis pathway. Life cycle GHG emissions results show that the baseline hydrogen pathway presents a wide range of improvement in comparison to an estimated low-carbon hydrogen threshold. Electrolysis pathway shows its carbon intensities depend on the share of renewable energy sources used to generate electricity as feedstock in the electrolysis process. Further LCAs for the remaining hydrogen pathways in a Canadian context will be performed and results will be published in a new report. It is important to note that the accuracy and completeness of the life cycle inventory data could be improved with primary data from current industry, hence it is recommended that the LCA results in the present report may be revised with use cases from current hydrogen projects developed in a Canadian context. Additional recommended steps, include start a wide consultation process with stakeholders to revise life cycle GHG emissions estimates and to set the final carbon intensities threshold(s).

The mitigation of climate change requires research, development, and deployment of new technologies that are not only economically viable but also environmentally benign. Systematic and continuous technology assessment from early technology maturity onwards allows assessment practitioners to identify economic and environmental characteristics. With this information, decision-makers can focus time and resources on the most promising technologies. A broad toolset for technology assessment exists—stretching from the well-established life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology to more loosely defined techno-economic analysis (TEA) methods and the increasingly popular principles of technology maturity assessment such as the concept of technology readiness levels (TRL). However, current technology assessment practice faces various challenges at early stages, resulting in a potential mismatch of study results and stakeholders' needs and an escalation of assessment effort. In this practice review, we outline current challenges in the interplay of LCA, TEA, and TRL and present best practices for assessing early-stage climate change mitigation technologies in the field of carbon capture and utilization (CCU). The findings help practitioners systematically identify the TRL of a technology and adapt technology assessment methodologies accordingly. We highlight the methodological challenges for practitioners when adapting the goal and scope, identifying benchmark technologies, creating a comprehensive inventory, comparing early stage to commercial stage, ensuring clarity of recommendations for decision-making under high uncertainty, and streamlining conventional LCA and TEA assessment approaches and provide actionable recommendations. Overall, this work contributes to identifying promising technologies faster and more systematically, accelerating the development of new technologies for climate change mitigation and beyond., Frontiers in Climate, 4, ISSN:2624-9553

The proposed Clean Fuel Regulations (CFR) require that primary suppliers of gasoline and diesel fuel reduce the carbon intensity of those fuels that they produce or import. Compliance must be achieved by using credits that can be created by the primary supplier or purchased from other credit creators. In addition to actions that reduce the carbon intensity of the fuel across its lifecycle, other credit creating activities include supplying low-carbon fuels and specified end-use fuel switching in transportation. Credits that can be created by end-use fuel switching to electric vehicles are calculated based on energy efficiency ratios (EERs).

Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) is an attractive technology for the decarbonization of global energy systems. However, its early development stage makes impact assessment difficult. Moreover, rising popularity in carbon pricing necessitates the development of a methodology for deriving carbon abatement costs that are harmonized with the price of carbon. We develop, using a combined bottom-up analysis and top-down learning curve approach, a levelized cost of carbon abatement (LCCA) model for assessing the true cost of emissions mitigation in CCUS technology under carbon pricing mechanisms. We demonstrate our methodology by adapting three policy scenarios in Canada to explore how the implementation of CO₂-to-diesel technologies could economically decarbonize Canada’s transportation sector. With continued policy development, Canada can avoid 932 MtCO₂eq by 2075 at an LCCA of CA$209/tCO₂eq. Technological learning, low emission hydroelectricity generation, and cost-effective electricity prices make Quebec and Manitoba uniquely positioned to support CO₂-to-diesel technology. The additional policy supports beyond 2030, including an escalating carbon price, CO₂-derived fuel blending requirements, or investment in low-cost renewable electricity, which can accelerate market diffusion of CO₂-to-diesel technology in Canada. This methodology is applicable to different jurisdictions and disruptive technologies, providing ample foci for future work to leverage this combined technology learning + LCCA approach.

Understanding the potential of Grid Scale Energy Storage to provide benefits to the electric grid, as well as how it may also support goals in the areas of economic development and environmental impact, is critical in order to assess its potential relative to incumbent technologies. However, most studies undertaken to date have reviewed Energy Storage on a project-by-project basis, which makes it difficult to ascertain the system wide benefits and costs of implementing the technology. It is within this context that the National Research Council, through its Energy Storage for Grid Security and Modernization Program, has undertaken the development of a Canadian Energy Storage Study, with support from Natural Resources Canada, strategic partners and consultants, stakeholders across the value chain, and an expert advisory board. This document contains the first chapter of this study which presents an analysis of Energy Storage in Alberta. The report consists of three main areas of study including: Grid Needs, Technology Assessment, and Environmental Impact. It is intended to provide a neutral and independent analysis that outlines the potential costs and benefits of the adoption of energy storage technologies in Alberta in 2017. The data, results, and conclusions in this report should not be interpreted as policy advice, and are not guaranteed to be reflective of current market conditions; they instead are meant to support a range of conversations and calculations well beyond the scope of this report., On title page: Energy Storage for Grid Security and Modernization, Sur la page de titre : Energy Storage for Grid Security and Modernization