Carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS)

Carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) refers to the suite of technologies that capture carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from industrial or energy-related sources, utilise it in various applications, or store it underground in geological formations. It is one of the most important decarbonisation technologies being explored today.

Key agreements such as the Paris Accord and Net-Zero pledges by nations are pushing industries to adopt new technology like CCUS. Governments are incentivising projects through grants, subsidies, and carbon pricing mechanisms. As of 2024, there are over 300 operational or planned CCUS facilities globally, with increasing investments driven by climate goals. North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific lead the way, but interest is growing in the Middle East and Africa. This is a field with rapid technological innovation, with advanced direct air capture (DAC) and carbon-to-value technologies gaining momentum.

As a sector that is still emerging, CCUS does not yet have a comprehensive set of standards and regulations. The standards that do exist vary between countries. Projects involve multiple stakeholders and represent a CCUS ecosystem or CCUS custody chain.

Despite the regulations being at an early stage, one thing that is non-negotiable is that CCUS projects need to prove their trust and integrity. Governments and regulatory bodies needing reassurance that everything is compliant from a regulatory and legislative perspective. As an reputed, independent third-party, TÜV SÜD supports the development of regulations and provides advice and assurance through end-to-end due diligence at all stages of a CCUS project.

Carbon management solutions such as CCUS are critical for achieving net-zero emissions by offsetting residual emissions in hard-to-abate sectors such as cement, steel, and chemicals. Adopting decarbonisation technologies such as CCUS demonstrates environmental responsibility, bolsters brand reputation, and attracts ESG-focused investors.

CCUS further helps to achieve following:

• Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions – Helps achieve net-zero targets.
• Supports Hard-to-Decarbonize Industries – Steel, cement, and chemicals rely on CCUS for emission reductions.
• Enhances Energy Security – Can be used to produce clean fuels like hydrogen.
• Aligns with Climate Policies – Many governments and climate agreements (e.g., Paris Agreement) promote CCUS as a key tool.

Governments are setting sector-specific CO₂ emission limits, making CCUS a compliance tool that helps companies avoid potential penalties related to carbon taxes. In addition, companies are increasingly adopting CCUS to meet voluntary science-based targets.

As a nascent field, CCUS still possesses insufficient expertise in identifying suitable carbon capture technologies. There are challenges in optimising capture efficiency and retrofitting infrastructure. Economic viability is also a concern due to high upfront costs and operating expenses, and uncertainty in carbon pricing and return on investment.

Other challenges include complexity of regulations and permitting processes, compliance with environmental standards, lack of geological data for suitable carbon storage sites, and concerns about leakage, monitoring, and long-term liability. Integration with organisational sustainability goals and stakeholder resistance are other factors to consider. The trusted independent expertise of TÜV SÜD can guide stakeholders through these challenges.

TÜV SÜD provides comprehensive support for Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) projects, ensuring accurate measurement, monitoring, and verification of CO₂ emissions. Our expertise covers flow measurement calibration, physical property analysis, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling to optimize CO₂ capture, transport, and storage. Further, we offer validation and verification services aligned with international standards such as ISO 14064-2 and international carbon credit program, ensuring regulatory compliance and credibility. Additionally, our cutting-edge research and partnerships drive innovation in CCUS, helping industries achieve their decarbonization goals while maintaining operational efficiency.

We provide end-to-end validation and verification for CCUS projects, ensuring compliance with global standards such as ISO 27914 (carbon dioxide capture, transport, and storage). This ensures that your projects meet regulatory and environmental requirements.

With a global network of experts and a strong local presence, TÜV SÜD bridges international best practices with regional regulatory needs, streamlining approval processes for CCUS projects across jurisdictions.

TÜV SÜD's reputation for impartiality and reliability boosts stakeholder confidence in your CCUS initiatives, reducing perceived risks for investors and regulatory bodies.

Our experts offer cross-disciplinary capabilities. Combining expertise in engineering, environmental impact assessment, and technical advisory, we offer integrated solutions for assessing CCUS feasibility, safety, and long-term sustainability.

TÜV SÜD offers comprehensive support for organizations implementing Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) technologies, focusing on accurate measurement and monitoring of CO₂ throughout the entire CCUS chain. Their services include:

Flow measurement and calibration

• Testing and Calibration: TÜV SÜD provides flow meter testing and calibration services to ensure precise measurement of CO₂ in various phases—gaseous, liquid, or supercritical.
• Facility Development: They are developing state-of-the-art facilities, such as the High-Pressure Gas Loop, to offer national standard traceability for gaseous CO₂ flow measurements.  

Pipeline and process simulation and regulatory support

Using CFD, TÜV SÜD simulates CO₂ behavior in pipelines and processes, including leakage scenarios and flow meter performance, to optimize design and ensure safety.

TÜV SÜD collaborates with government bodies to develop CCUS programs, providing technical expertise to ensure accurate measurement and compliance with environmental regulations.

Validation and verification of CCUS project

1. Validation of CCUS Projects:

• Project Design Assessment: TÜV SÜD evaluates the project's design, including baseline scenarios, additionality, monitoring plans, and environmental impact assessments, to ensure compliance with relevant standards and methodologies.

• Regulatory Alignment: They ensure that the project aligns with international standards such as ISO 14064-2 and program-specific requirements like the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) or the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) or Global Carbon Council (GCC).

2. Verification of Emission Reductions:

• Data Monitoring and Measurement: TÜV SÜD assesses the monitoring systems and measurement techniques used to quantify captured and stored CO₂ emissions.

• Emission Reduction Calculation: They verify the accuracy of emission reduction calculations to confirm that the reported reductions are real, measurable, and permanent.
• Periodic Assessments: Regular verifications are conducted to ensure ongoing compliance and to validate continuous emission reductions over the project's lifecycle.

3. Accreditation and Compliance:

• International Accreditation: TÜV SÜD is accredited under ISO 14065 for the validation and verification of greenhouse gas assertions, ensuring adherence to high standards of impartiality and competence.

4. Digital Verification Initiatives:

• Innovative Partnerships: TÜV SÜD has partnered with SustainCERT to develop a digital verification platform, leveraging data science and AI to enhance the efficiency, transparency, and credibility of the validation and verification process.