U.S. carbon capture firm says Alberta ticks boxes to get technology off the ground – CBC

Report on Carbon Capture Technology Development in Alberta’s Oilsands

Introduction

A U.S.-based carbon capture startup, Mantel Capture, is advancing a commercial-scale carbon capture project in Alberta’s oilsands. This initiative aligns with multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Project Overview

1. Location and Technology: Alberta is identified as an ideal location due to its policy environment and industrial expertise. Mantel Capture’s technology is designed to capture 60,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually from a steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) oilsands producer.
2. Energy Efficiency: Unlike traditional carbon capture projects that consume significant energy, Mantel’s system utilizes the 150,000 tonnes of high-pressure steam generated to support oilsands operations, enhancing energy efficiency and sustainability.
3. Support and Development: The project is supported by Alberta Innovates, a provincial Crown corporation, and builds upon a prior demonstration project at Kruger Inc.’s Wayagamack pulp and paper mill in Quebec, which captures 2,000 tonnes of CO2 and generates steam for mill operations.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

• SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy: The project promotes clean energy use by integrating steam generation with carbon capture, reducing fossil fuel emissions.
• SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Mantel’s modular carbon capture technology can be adapted to various industrial sectors such as cement, steel, chemicals, and power generation, fostering innovation and sustainable industrialization.
• SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production: By improving the efficiency of carbon capture and utilizing by-product steam, the project supports responsible industrial processes and resource use.
• SDG 13 – Climate Action: The initiative directly contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, addressing climate change mitigation.

Policy and Workforce Advantages in Alberta

• Policy Environment: Alberta benefits from robust policy support, including carbon pricing and tax incentives, which encourage investment in carbon capture technologies.
• Skilled Workforce: The province’s oil and gas industry workforce possesses relevant skills in subsurface sequestration and chemical processing equipment, facilitating technology adoption and operational efficiency.

Relation to Broader Carbon Capture Initiatives

Mantel Capture is not currently part of the Pathways Alliance, a consortium of major Canadian oilsands companies planning one of the world’s largest carbon capture projects. The Pathways project aims to capture emissions from over 20 oilsands facilities and transport CO2 via a 400-kilometre pipeline to an underground storage hub in Cold Lake, Alberta.

This project is supported by a recent memorandum of understanding between the Alberta and federal governments, linking it to the development of a new West Coast bitumen pipeline. Mantel’s CEO, Cameron Halliday, supports Pathways as critical infrastructure that will enable further carbon capture developments.

Future Vision and Industry Impact

• Mantel Capture envisions carbon capture technology becoming a standard component of all new industrial plants, similar to existing pollution control technologies for sulphur dioxide.
• The goal is to integrate carbon capture seamlessly into industrial operations, making it a routine and economically viable practice that supports sustainable industrial growth and climate goals.

Conclusion

The development of Mantel Capture’s carbon capture project in Alberta represents a significant step toward achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals by reducing emissions, promoting clean energy, and fostering innovation in industrial processes. Alberta’s supportive policies and skilled workforce create a conducive environment for scaling carbon capture technologies, contributing to Canada’s leadership in climate action and sustainable development.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • The article discusses energy-efficient carbon capture technology that harnesses steam generated in industrial processes, contributing to cleaner energy use.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • The development and deployment of innovative carbon capture technology and infrastructure in Alberta’s oilsands and other industrial plants is highlighted.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • The article emphasizes reducing emissions from industrial production processes, promoting sustainable industrial practices.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The core focus is on reducing carbon dioxide emissions through carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies to mitigate climate change.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • Target 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.
   • The article’s mention of energy-efficient carbon capture technology aligns with improving energy efficiency in industrial processes.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes.
   • The modular carbon capture technology that can be added to various industrial plants supports this target.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
   • Reducing emissions and reusing steam in oilsands operations reflects efficient resource use.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
   • The article highlights policy support including carbon pricing and tax incentives in Alberta, showing integration of climate action in policy.
   • Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation.
   • Reference to skilled workforce and knowledge transfer in carbon capture technology relates to capacity building.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Indicator for SDG 7.3:
   • Energy intensity measured in terms of energy consumption per unit of industrial output could be implied by the article’s focus on energy-efficient carbon capture technology.
2. Indicator for SDG 9.4:
   • Proportion of industries using clean and environmentally sound technologies; the deployment of Mantel’s modular carbon capture equipment across various industries is an implied measure.
3. Indicator for SDG 12.2:
   • Material footprint and resource use efficiency; the reuse of high-pressure steam in oilsands operations suggests improved resource efficiency.
4. Indicators for SDG 13.2 and 13.3:
   • Carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP or per capita; the project’s goal to capture 60,000 tonnes of CO2 annually is a direct measure of emissions reduction.
   • Number of policies and incentives implemented to reduce emissions, as referenced by carbon pricing and tax incentives in Alberta.
   • Capacity-building indicators such as number of trained personnel in carbon capture technologies, implied by the mention of skilled workforce transferability.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: cbc.ca