In the municipality of Garray, located in the province of Soria, Spain, a groundbreaking initiative is transforming how we view CO2 emissions. As part of the LIFE CO2IntBio project, funded by the European Union’s LIFE Programme, a Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) plant operated by Carburos Met谩licos (Air Products Group) showcases the power of innovation and collaboration. Led by the Fundaci贸n Patrimonio Natural de Castilla y Le贸n, and in partnership with Bioel茅ctrica de Garray (ENSO), this project addresses the pressing issue of high industrial CO2 emissions.
Despite significant technological advancements, industrial processes and power plants continue to emit large amounts of CO2. However, CO2 is not just an emission; it is a source of carbon that can be used as feedstock, for example, in the chemical industry. This dual role of carbon presents a unique opportunity for industrial symbiosis, which the LIFE CO2IntBio project aims to exploit. The Garray CCU plant adapts existing CO2 cleaning technology to biomass power plant flue gas, transforming CO2 into a valuable resource.
The Process and Benefits
The plant captures CO2 emissions from the biomass power plant, cleans and processes the gas to meet food-grade quality standards, and supplies it to local industries. This closed-loop system not only reduces the biomass power plant’s CO2 emissions but also ensures that the CO2 obtained is considered green, as it does not rely on fossil fuels such as natural gas in its production, thereby avoiding the CO2 emissions that other plants may generate. Additionally, by bringing the production of CO2 closer to its end users, the project reduces transportation-related emissions.
Environmental and Economic Impact
The Garray CCU plant exemplifies the circular economy by turning CO2 emissions into a raw material for local industries. The project’s benefits go beyond emission reductions: It promotes sustainable forestry by requiring sustainability certificates for the biomass used, and replaces fossil fuel emissions with renewable energy.
Creating Renewable CO2
One of the outcomes of this project is the creation of commercial CO2 gas from renewable sources. Derived from biomass and processed using renewable energy, this CO2 has the potential to lead a decarbonisation trend in the industry. Its environmental benefits are thoroughly documented in the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), showcasing its low environmental impact.
This project not only helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also fosters new value chains and products, driving us toward a greener future.
Associated SDG targets
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