Serving data center load with carbon capture

Big tech’s data center construction boom is fueling a flurry of natural gas development, despite the fuel’s challenges, and it’s complicating big tech’s climate goals. But carbon capture and storage (CCS) could mitigate emissions from those new plants, and hyperscalers could secure low-carbon power while meeting their needs for speed and reliability. 

So how could natural gas with CCS serve data center loads?

In this episode, Shayle talks to Julio Friedmann, chief scientist at Carbon Direct, who recently co-authored a couple pieces on the topic. Despite recent high profile cancellations of natural gas projects, Julio makes the case that gas-plus-CCS has attractive advantages, provided the carbon capture actually happens. Shayle and Julio cover topics like:

• The surprisingly attractive economics, even at lower flue concentrations
• Where it may be faster and cheaper than renewables, storage, and nuclear
• The challenges of siting CO2 infrastructure and uncertainty around the 45Q tax credit
• Whether “CCS-ready” kicks mitigation down the road, like H2 blending
• Big tech companies like Meta that are signaling interest, but not taking action
• The range of CCS technologies and the manufacturers jockeying to supply them
• CCS’s uncertain political future in the U.S.

Recommended resources:

Carbon Direct: Carbon Capture for Natural Gas-Fired Power Generation

Carbon Direct: Carbon capture for natural gas-fired power generation: An opportunity for hyperscalers

Latitude Media: Where does gas fit in the puzzle of powering AI?

Latitude Media: High costs, delays prompt withdrawal of five more Texas gas plants

Latitude Media: Hydrogen-ready’ power plants aren’t actually ready for hydrogen

Latitude Media: Engie’s pulled project highlights the worsening economics of gas

Credits: Hosted by Shayle Kann. Produced and edited by Daniel Woldorff. Original music and engineering by Sean Marquand. Stephen Lacey is executive editor.

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