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Innovative tech could generate renewable energy and capture carbon
University of Canterbury engineering researchers are investigating an innovative method that could solve two wicked problems of climate change – creating renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions.
UC Civil and Natural Resources Engineering Senior Lecturer Dr David Dempsey: “Basically, we have a way to suck huge amounts of CO2 out of the atmosphere and put it underground in geothermal fields.”
Titus has shown that a combined geothermal and bioenergy plant could remove a million tonnes of CO2 each year, equivalent to taking 200,000 cars off the road. And the financial incentive to do so could run in the tens to hundreds of millions of dollars.
“Although this work is at an early stage, we think it’s a hugely promising step forward, particularly as the world’s economies continue major plans for decarbonisation,” says Titus. “Aotearoa is a beautiful country with an abundance of natural resources. We have a real opportunity and responsibility to lead the way in the collective global decarbonisation effort.”
His doctoral co-supervisor UC Civil and Natural Resources Engineering Senior Lecturer Dr David Dempsey says: “Basically, we have a way to suck huge amounts of CO2 out of the atmosphere and put it underground in geothermal fields. It has the potential to be both good for the climate and good for the economy.”
Aotearoa New Zealand is a world-leader in geothermal technology, a renewable source of electricity and heating for homes and industry. In 2020, about 18% of New Zealand’s electricity came from geothermal sources.
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