an environmental risk assessment for carbon capture ... · why an environmental risk assessment?...
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An Environmental Risk Assessment for Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS)
Aidan Whitfield5 April 2011
File: ERA for CCS A Whitfield for 5Apr11
Potential CO2 pipelines
Poyry Energy Consulting report
http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file36782.pdf
Environment Agency and CCS
Main role is regulating CCS technology at power stations - issuing Environmental Permits
Permit implements Integrated Pollution Prevention & Control directive (IPPC) requirements
AND more widely:Support low-carbon technologies to reduce climate change and its consequences Support Government policy
Permitting existing activities
Power Stationapplication,
assessment, issue permit
EuropeIPPC BAT guidance(best available techniques)
EuropeIPPC BAT guidance(best available techniques)
New plants:Must achieve BAT
Existing plants:Upgrade to BAT if economically feasible
Permitting CCS (as a new activity)
Power Stationapplication,
assessment,issue permit
CCS CO2
2018-20
ANSWERWrite an Environmental Risk Assessment And - apply current standards for releases of individual substances
EuropeNo BAT guidance!(best available techniques)
EuropeNo BAT guidance!(best available techniques)
How to fill the BATGAP?How do we prepare for CCS applications?
Why an Environmental Risk Assessment?
Preparation for applications in 2014/15Provides a systematic framework for listing generic risks and risk management measuresProvides the evidence for a risk-based plan to regulate CCS up to 2020 - focussing our effort on the highest risksPublished on web for IChemE Hazards XXII symposium in Liverpool 12-14 April 2011
www.environment-agency.gov.uk/carboncapture
Why publish the ERA?
To demonstrate we are doing our jobTo inform debate on CCS among industry, NGOs, academics etcTo engage with the public - provide the media and public with balanced messages on risks and risk management measures now
because it is difficult to respond to negative messages e.g. media scare stories and protest groups
Onshore CO2 storage Netherlands
In the UK public awareness and concern are lowUK storage offshore – avoids NUMBY reactionBut – could be local concerns over pipelinesBut – there is significant UK opposition to coal
Ratcliffe-on-Soar 2009
Photograph: Tom Pilston, Guardian website
Kingsnorth Climate Camp 2008
Photograph: Henry Browne, Guardian website
ERA scope
Scope is the Environment Agency remit Environmental risks, onshore, England & Wales
Source ->pathway -> receptor model Discussed with Government, industry, trade associations and peer reviewed by CranfieldUniversity
ERA methodology: CO2 pipelines
Freezing (at short distance)
Asphyxiation (at longer distance)
Harm
HIGH overall
(probability is low) X(consequence is high)
Workers, public, animals and plants
Gas cloud, cold, dense drifting downhill & downwind before dispersing
Large scale release of CO2 from a pipeline
RiskReceptorPathway ->Source ->
ERA methodology: CO2 pipelines
• “Low” reducing to “very low” once CO2 research complete
• HSE and operator actions to protect people lead to “very low” risk to environment
• Environment Agency concern is low
• >50 years UK experience operating natural gas pipelines
• Research on CO2 properties –failure rates, release rates, dispersion etc -> new design codes
• Existing planning system will route pipelines away from people and sensitive habitats
• HSE experience regulating construction and operation
Residual RiskRisk Management
ERA findings on CCS
We do not need new regulatory controlsCCS technologies are not newCCS substances are not newSo….We expect all proposed CCS technologies to meet current standards for environmental protection so we will be able to issue permits
ERA example: Amine releases
Post-combustion capture will use amines to remove CO2 from power station flue gasAmine concentrations in releases of flue gas will be low, but potential for high annual mass releases due to large volumeAmines may react in the process or in the atmosphere to produce more toxic compounds e.g. nitrosamines
Amine releases risk management
Staged development reduces risks:Research £38m/year Govt. funding in universitiesPilot plants 2011-14 e.g. Aberthaw and Ferrybridgewith permit conditions for monitoring, reporting & assessment of amine releases (<10MW) Demonstration plants 2015-20 (at 300MW)Full scale CCS from 2020 (at 800MW to 2000MW)
ERA example: Waste amine disposal
Risks - increased amine disposalDoes the UK have sufficient disposal capacity?What is the carbon footprint of disposal?
Risk management -Environment Agency to gather data from pilot and demo plants and ensure the waste industry is alertedLife Cycle Analysis needed to establish true effects –probably use Imperial College LCA model
ERA example: Water Resources
Risks – increased water demand for CCSAmine scrubbing & CO2 compression require additional coolingClimate change will bring about slightly wetter winters & much drier summers in the UK?
• Decreased fresh water water supply?• Increased demand for agricultural irrigation?
Risk management – Environment Agency actionsGather data from pilot and demo plants and feed it into climate change prediction models for river flowsProvide water resources information to inform decisions on site selection and cooling options for future power stations
2050s change in river flows UKCIP02March (+- 5%) July (-10 to -80%)
2050s change in river flows UKCIP02September (-30 to -80%) November (+10% to -50%
Evaporative, Air or Sea Water cooling?
Conclusion
Is it useful to produce & publish an Environmental Risk Assessment for an emerging technology such as CCS?Useful to Environment Agency?Useful to industry, academia?Useful to media and public?
