To find effective ways to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, Amber Grid, the Lithuanian gas transmission system operator, commissioned by the Ministry of Energy, has carried out an assessment analysis of green technologies for CO2 (biogenic carbon dioxide) capture and use in Lithuania.
With the application of specific technologies, green CO2 can be used to produce sustainable products with higher added value. One of the most attention-grabbing areas is the use of captured CO2 for the production of synthetic fuels (synthetic methane, methanol, aviation fuels and so on), thereby reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
“Imagine a future where agricultural, forest, industrial and food waste can power ships and planes,” said Danas Janulionis, Head of the Energy Transformation Centre at Amber Grid. “This is no longer a figment of the imagination, but a tangible reality which is already being implemented in other countries and which could be pursued by Lithuania in the future. The biogenic CO2 collected from biomass recycling processes could be converted into synthetic green fuels by combining it with hydrogen produced from renewable electricity. This would be a cleaner alternative to traditional fossil fuels and could contribute to Lithuania’s self-sufficiency in domestically produced fuels, exerting no negative impact on climate change.”
“Amber Grid’s analysis shows that there is potential for green CO2 capture from biomethane and biofuel production, biofuel and waste combustion processes in Lithuania,” Mr Janulionis explained. “Such quantities of CO2 capture in Lithuania could amount to up to 3.5 million tonnes annually in a couple of decades. However, the specific projects to be implemented will depend on the demand for green CO2 for the production of various products and a number of other factors. CO2 capture projects require significant investment and a coordinated approach to the implementation of CO2 capture and utilisation projects. The identified potential for biogenic CO2 in Lithuania will open up the debate and contribute to the formulation of public policy in the energy and transport sectors. It will also enable more efficient development of solutions for the production of synthetic fuels and other products using CO2 in Lithuania.”