Carbon Capture and Decarbonization of Energy Systems

Carbon Capture and Decarbonization of Energy Systems

Positioning the CERC Carbon cluster at the core, we are developing an ecosystem for research, teaching and implementation around Carbon Management at UBC that becomes the foundation for rich connections between various disciplines, researchers, students, industry sectors, governments, and stakeholders to start generating and answering questions to progress Carbon Management Strategies.

Carbon Capture and Separation

CAPTURE AND SEPARATION

  • CO2 solid sorbents for pre- and post-combustion systems
  • Chemical looping combustion system
  • Gas hydrate crystals for pre-combustion capture of CO2

Carbon Conversions

CONVERSION

  • Electrochemical conversion of CO2 to produce valuable chemicals and fuels
  • Co-polymerization of CO2 to increase the molecular weight of polymers while increasing CO2 utilization

FEATURE PROJECTS

  • Building a set of tools for integrative policy towards decarbonising Canada’s maritime shipping industry (Research summary)
  • Using liquid heterogeneous catalysts to enable the production of fuels and chemicals without producing carbon dioxide (Research summary)
  • Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by turning solid waste into energy and fertilisers in the Lower Mainland (Research summary)
  • Creating a smart personalised carbon dashboard to connect carbon footprints to actions (Research summary)
  • Developing combustors of gas turbine engines that can burn a cleaner fuel — hydrogen enriched natural gas (Research summary)
  • Educating and growing the Carbon Capture, Conversion and Sequestration sector (Research summary)
  • Assessing the carbon abatement potential of forestry residue biochar in British Columbia (Research summary)

Challenges and Opportunities

As outlined in many climate action plans globally, keeping the global temperature rise to no more than 2°C requires bold actions in reducing carbon emissions. For carbon capture and conversion technologies to become impactful long-term solutions, we need to consider technologies both holistically and regionally from a systems perspective to derive integrated and robust approaches to addressing climate change challenges. The UBC CERC Carbon cluster conducts cutting edge research coupled with market and policy implications. There is also a tremendous opportunity for education in this field as society grapples to make the shift towards a low carbon future.

Theme members

Theme leader

         Naoko Ellis

Related articles