Optimisation of ship-based CO2 transport chains from Southern Europe to the North Sea

• Published in: Carbon Capture Science & Technology 2024-03, Vol.10, p.100172, Article 100172
• Main Authors: d’Amore, Federico, Natalucci, Luca, Romano, Matteo C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon capture and storage; Chain optimisation; Economic model; Mixed integer linear programming; Ship CO2 transport
• ISSN: 2772-6568; 2772-6568
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ccst.2023.100172

•An economic model for CO2 transport by ship is here proposed.•A logistic tool for optimal ship-based CO2 transport chains is developed.•A case study of Southern Europe capture and North Sea storage is optimised.•Ships beyond 50 kt can be cost competitive with pipes for distant routes.•CO2 transport costs is 25–45 €/t, depending on fuel cost and capital charge factor. Among the technologies for climate change mitigation, carbon capture and storage is considered as a technically and economically viable option to reduce CO2 emissions from hard-to-abate industrial sectors. When it comes to CO2 logistics, ship-based chains are emerging as an attractive alternative to other CO2 transport modes (e.g., pipelines), as these could exhibit lower operational risk, higher infrastructural flexibility, and lower costs. This work provides insights into the cost of optimal ship-based CO2 transport chains at a European level, by proposing a detailed economic model of CO2 transport by ship, including all the echelons of the infrastructure (i.e., liquefaction, buffer storage, loading, ship, conditioning, and unloading). The final aim is to determine the minimum CO2 transport cost from Southern Europe to North Sea sequestration. Different unloading scenarios (port-to-port, port-to-floating storage and injection, and port-to-direct offshore unloading) and carbon reduction targets are investigated. The minimum unitary transport cost is 26 €/t of CO2 for transporting 103 Mt/y.