Evaluation of a new technology for carbon dioxide submarine storage in glass capsules

A Life Cycle Assessment carried out with different combinations of the geographical and technological parameters showed an average impact of 0.10 tCO2eq per ton of stored CO2. The process with the highest impact was the capsule production, due mainly to the consumption of natural gas and electricity, as well as to calcination taking place during the production of glass. The availability of space in the seabed for submarine CO2 storage in capsules resulted a minor issue for the development of the technology. Close to most coastal areas where CO2 emission sources are located, large surfaces of the seabed at a suitable depth (between 1500 and 3000 m) and distance from the coast (<200 km) suitable for this technology are available, and particularly in the Mediterranean and Black seas. A preliminary cost analysis resulted in an average CO2 levelized cost of US$17 per ton of CO2 delivered by the external source.