Researchers from the Institute for Energy Economics and the Rational Use of Energy (IER) at the University of Stuttgart have published a study that provides a practical framework for planning and implementing CO2 pipeline infrastructure, which is crucial for the energy sector’s transition towards climate neutrality.
The study, titled “From carbon management strategies to implementation: Modeling and physical simulation of CO2 pipeline infrastructure — a case study for Germany,” was published in the International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control. The researchers, led by Mehrnaz Anvari, combined energy system scenarios with physical network simulation to design a CO2 pipeline network for Germany. They aimed to support policy-makers and companies in developing large-scale CO2 transport infrastructure under substantial uncertainty.
The researchers first derived spatially highly resolved CO2 balances to develop a dense-phase CO2 pipeline topology that follows existing gas pipeline corridors. The analyzed system included existing sites for cement and lime production, waste incineration, carbon users, four coastal CO2 hubs, and border crossing points. They then applied the multiphysical network simulator MYNTS to assess the technical feasibility of this network. The simulation considered elevation and possible impurities, and determined pipeline diameters, pump locations, and operating conditions that ensure stable dense-phase transport.
The results indicated that a system of about 7000 km pipeline length and a mixed normed diameter of DN700 on main corridors and of DN500/DN400 on branches presents a feasible solution to connect most sites. The investment costs for the optimized pipeline system were calculated to be about 17 billion Euros. The method provides a reproducible framework and is transferable to other countries and to a European scope.
This research offers practical applications for the energy sector, particularly in planning and implementing CO2 transport infrastructure. The integrated method can support the development of large-scale CO2 pipeline networks, which are essential for carbon capture and storage or utilization (CCUS) technologies. By providing a clear framework for pipeline planning, this research can help accelerate the deployment of CCUS technologies, which are crucial for achieving climate neutrality in many economies.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.