Queensland researchers build device that creates electricity by consuming CO2

UQ Carbon Capture – Summary

• In short: UQ researchers have developed a nano-generator that has the potential to revolutionise CO2 reduction efforts.
• The nano-generator has the potential to become a new form of industrial carbon capture.
• What’s next? The researchers are looking for industrial partners and will work to make the device more efficient.

Introduction

Researchers at the University of Queensland (UQ) have built an electrical generator that consumes carbon dioxide, potentially opening the door to a new industrial-scale carbon capture method. The carbon-negative “nano-generator” is the work of Zhuyuan Wang and Xiwang Zhang from UQ’s Dow Centre for Sustainable Engineering Innovation. It pairs a poly amine gel already used to absorb CO2 with a thin “skeleton” of boron nitrate that’s only a few atoms thick. The prototype device generates electricity as it absorbs CO2. It’s the latter of those two results that have the researchers most excited. The nano-generators have the potential to be a key component in a new form of industrial carbon capture.

Potential Impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Dr Wang believes, with further development, the technology can be scaled up to significantly reduce global CO2 emissions. “We imagine two uses – one is we use the technology to directly integrate it to a commercial CO2 absorption plant so this can generate some electricity when absorbing CO2 to offset the cost,” he said. “We are very confident it can because nowadays CO2 absorption is not a lucrative business. Our technology can be used in these plants, we can largely reduce the energy consumption and of course the capital costs, so make this business more sustainable and lucrative.” A second application could be as a small, portable domestic unit consuming CO2 from the immediate environment while creating enough electricity to power small devices or light bulbs.

Further Development and Collaboration

Dr Wang said they have been working on the nano-generator for the past two years, but more research was needed to make the chemical process more efficient. Professor Zhang, who is the director of the Dow Centre, said they would continue to develop the nano-generator through GETCO2, a research scheme run by one of the Australian Research Council’s centres of excellence. Dr Wang said they are also seeking industrial partners.

Existing Carbon Capture Methods Costly and Inefficient

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is employed by the oil and gas industry as one way to help offset greenhouse gas emissions. It currently involves capturing CO2 at the site of production and then burying it deep underground where it becomes trapped in a porous rock layer. The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis said the majority of carbon capture and storage projects around the world were not performing as well as expected. The institute said that while CCS had been around for decades, it was costly, there were only about 30 active projects in the world and “numerous projects” had been cancelled or failed. It found that for Australian projects from 2016-17 to 2022-23, CCS injected 33 per cent of emissions, which was collectively only 42 per cent of their carbon capture targets.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 13: Climate Action

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
• SDG 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable.
• SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the following indicators can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Percentage increase in the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
• Number of infrastructure upgrades and industry retrofits for sustainability.
• Extent of integration of climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: abc.net.au

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