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More Than a Pipe Dream: Expanding SimCCS Carbon Transportation Pipeline Optimization to Consider Environmental Tradeoffs
  • +1
  • Robin Young,
  • Alexandra Thompson,
  • Alan Krupnick,
  • Jhih-Shyang Shih
Robin Young
Resources For the Future

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

Author Profile
Alexandra Thompson
Resources For the Future
Alan Krupnick
Resources For the Future
Jhih-Shyang Shih
Resources For the Future

Abstract

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is a pivotal technology for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. While developments have been made in capture and storage capabilities , the planning and development of an optimized transport pipeline network for linking emission sources to storage sites remains understudied. This study aims to extend the capabilities of SimCCS, a widely-used CCS planning tool, to incorporate environmental, social, and cultural considerations alongside economic costs of pipeline networks. Utilizing multi-objective optimization, we introduce an additional objective function that minimizes environmental and social impacts. This function integrates spatial data layers representing critical habitats, protected areas, and other socio-ecological factors. Preliminary results illustrate the model's capacity for multi-objective optimization. The annual expense for maintaining a sample pipeline network increased from $434 million to $622 million, with pipeline lengths of 1986 kilometers and 2878 kilometers, respectively, when shifting focus from cost to environmental and social impacts. This research contributes a more comprehensive framework for the planning of future CCS infrastructure that is both economically and environmentally sustainable.
01 Nov 2023Submitted to ESS Open Archive
03 Nov 2023Published in ESS Open Archive