Google's CCS Deal Shines Light on Carbon Capture Progress Amid Cost Challenges

Carbon capture technology is gaining momentum in the US and Europe despite the high costs associated with it. Google's recent deal to purchase electricity from a planned natural gas plant with carbon capture and storage (CCS) in Illinois has brought attention to the potential of CCS in the US.

The Broadwing project, a collaboration between Google and developer Low Carbon Infrastructure (LCI), is the first in a long-term effort to build future CCS facilities in the US. Michael Terrell, Head of Advanced Energy at Google, stated that their goal is 'to accelerate the path for CCS technology to become more accessible and affordable globally.'

Big Tech companies like NextEra and Microsoft are also investing in CCS projects, but according to Peter Findlay, Director of CCUS Economics at Wood Mackenzie, most have put CCS on hold due to its high costs and longer timelines compared to other power technologies.