Key Takeaways
- Canada, particularly Alberta, has the potential to lead in the carbon capture ecosystem due to its policy support, skilled workforce, and existing infrastructure.
- Mantel Capture, a U.S.-based carbon capture startup, has begun an early engineering and design study for a commercial-scale project in Alberta’s oilsands, aiming to capture 60,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.
- The project will utilize Mantel’s technology, which harnesses high-pressure steam to power its system, reducing energy consumption and generating additional revenue streams.
- Alberta’s sophisticated carbon capture space, along with its price on carbon and tax incentives, makes it an attractive location for investment in this technology.
Introduction to Carbon Capture in Alberta
The chief executive of Mantel Capture, a U.S.-based carbon capture startup, believes that Canada, specifically Alberta, has the necessary factors to bring carbon capture technology into widespread use. Cameron Halliday, co-founder of Mantel Capture, cited the province’s policy support, skilled workforce, and existing infrastructure as key advantages. Alberta’s oilsands are a prime location for carbon capture projects, and Mantel has begun an early engineering and design study for a commercial-scale project in the region.
Mantel Capture’s Project in Alberta’s Oilsands
Mantel’s project aims to capture 60,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, utilizing the company’s modular equipment that can be bolted on to various industrial plants. The technology is designed to harness high-pressure steam, which can be used in the oilsands partner’s operations, reducing energy consumption and generating additional revenue streams. While the cost of the project is not being disclosed at this time, Mantel is receiving support from Alberta Innovates, a provincial Crown corporation. This project builds on a demonstration project at Kruger Inc.’s Wayagamack pulp and paper mill in Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, which is designed to capture 2,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide and generate steam for the mill.
Advantages of Alberta’s Carbon Capture Space
According to Halliday, Alberta is a "sophisticated" player in the carbon capture space, with the right policy support, including a price on carbon and tax incentives. The province’s skilled workforce, with experience in the oil and gas industry, is also a significant advantage, as their skills are transferable to the carbon capture business. Additionally, the equipment used in carbon capture is similar to that used in the oil and gas industry, making it easier for workers to adapt. Halliday believes that Alberta’s carbon capture space has the potential to lead the way in this technology, and Mantel’s project is a step in the right direction.
Comparison to Other Carbon Capture Projects
Mantel’s project is not part of the Pathways Alliance, a group of Canada’s biggest oilsands companies proposing to build one of the world’s largest carbon capture projects, estimated to cost $16.5 billion. However, Halliday is supportive of the Pathways project, which would capture carbon dioxide emissions from over 20 oilsands facilities and transport them to a terminal in eastern Alberta for storage. The Pathways project is a key feature of a memorandum of understanding signed between the Alberta and federal governments, and Halliday believes that the carbon pipeline would be a crucial piece of infrastructure for future developments.
Vision for Carbon Capture Technology
Halliday’s vision for carbon capture technology is for it to become an automatic addition to all new industrial plants, similar to equipment used to remove sulphur dioxide and other pollutants from flue gases. He believes that carbon capture technology should be deployed as part of standard industry operations, rather than being seen as an additional cost or burden. With the right policy support, skilled workforce, and existing infrastructure, Alberta is well-positioned to lead the way in this technology, and Mantel’s project is a step towards making carbon capture a standard practice in the industry. As the technology continues to develop and improve, it is likely that we will see more widespread adoption of carbon capture in various industries, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping to mitigate the effects of climate change.