Longship; Catalyst for Technology Development and Cost Reduction

The Longship project is a vital component of Norway’s and the EU’s efforts to achieve long-term climate goals. Below, we explore how Longship promotes technology development, fosters learning effects, and creates opportunities for cost reductions in subsequent projects.

Demonstrating the Entire CCS Value Chain

Longship is a globally unique project that demonstrates a full-scale CCS value chain, from capture to transport and permanent storage of CO₂. The project includes Heidelberg Materials’ capture facility in Brevik, Hafslund Celsio at Klemetsrud, and Northern Lights, which handles the transport and storage of CO₂.

The Brevik CCS project is a milestone for the cement industry, a significant global emitter of greenhouse gases. This project demonstrates how carbon capture can be integrated into existing industrial processes, without reducing the production capacity of primary products (cement). However, the project has faced delays and cost overruns, highlighting the complexity of building a facility on a constrained industrial site, where the primary plant remains fully operational.

Northern Lights is responsible for transporting and storing CO₂ under the seabed. Phase one of the project, with a storage capacity of 1.5 million tons of CO₂ per year, is already fully booked. Plans for phase two include an expansion to five million tons, further solidifying the project’s role as an international benchmark for CCS.

Cost Reductions Through Learning Effects

One of Longship’s key outcomes is the reduction of CCS costs. Experiences from the construction and operational phases have identified opportunities for reducing both capital and operational expenditures. However, the findings also reveal that many costs are plant-specific, suggesting potential for further optimization.

At Brevik, operational experience has provided valuable insights into optimizing carbon capture processes, including energy efficiency improvements through heat integration. The CO₂ capture process at Brevik CCS leverages residual heat from the facility, resulting in reduced operational costs, an essential factor in making CCS commercially viable.

Data from Longship’s transport and storage components demonstrate that economies of scale and efficient infrastructure, can significantly reduce the cost per ton of CO₂ transported and stored. Northern Lights has also received EU funding for phase two, recognizing CCS as a critical component of Europe’s climate solutions.

Innovation and Technological Development

– Longship has played a pivotal role in driving innovation in CCS technology. We anticipate that operational experiences will lead to the development of improved solutions for carbon capture, compression, and transport. These technologies are not only relevant for Norway, but can also be exported and adapted for global markets, says Aslak Viumdal, Senior Advisor at Gassnova and responsible for benefit realization in Longship.

The project has paved the way for integrating CCS with other low-carbon technologies, such as hydrogen production, BioCCS, and direct air capture (DAC). Both BioCCS and DAC hold potential for achieving negative emissions, which are essential to meeting national and global emissions targets.

International Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing

Longship plays a critical role in building trust in CCS as a key technology for reducing emissions. By sharing project data and insights, Longship has established itself as a global knowledge resource. The project regularly publishes reports accessible to researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders.

Collaboration with European countries, including bilateral agreements on CO₂ transport with Belgium, the Netherlands, and Denmark, has positioned Longship as a driving force for developing European CCS infrastructure. This collaboration strengthens Europe’s capacity to achieve its climate goals. However, cost overruns and delays at Hafslund Celsio and partly in Brevik CCS, underscore the scale and complexity of implementing CO₂ management, offering valuable insights for a nascent market.

Future Significance

Longship has already demonstrated how technology development and cost reductions can accelerate CCS implementation. The project serves as a beacon for other global initiatives. Lessons learned from Longship have inspired several countries to launch their own CCS projects.

In addition to reducing costs and fostering innovation, Longship contributes to building a comprehensive CCS infrastructure essential for achieving climate goals in Norway, Europe, and globally.

With growing demand for storage capacity, the project has the potential to become a cornerstone in addressing global emissions.