Climate Change: Carbon Capture and Storage from edX

The atmosphere is a shared resource and the amount of greenhouse gases it can absorb is a finite resource. This introductory course to the technology of Carbon Capture and Storage is designed for a wider audience with an interest in energy, sustainability and climate change.

The aim of Carbon Capture and Storage is to achieve

Deep reductions in carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere
Unlock carbon negative solutions to achieve a neutral carbon balance to the atmosphere in the 21st century

Carbon Capture and Storage makes cheap, widely available fossil fuels ‘safe to use’ in the context of the Paris Climate Change agreement of 2015. It prevents their carbon dioxide emissions from entering the atmosphere to store them permanently and safely underground.

The course is taught by a team of leading academics at the University of Edinburgh with decades of experience in this field. It aims to bridge the gap between the forefront of the latest developments in science, engineering, geology, policy and economics, and the wider public.

The aim is to help you understand this technology objectively and why it is so important in our efforts against climate change. We hope the course will make you want to find out more about climate change mitigation options and that you will continue to further educate yourself in this area.

What's inside

Learning objectives

How to protect the atmosphere with the technology of carbon capture and storage, often called ccs, from an excess of carbon dioxide
The fundamental drivers to make fossil fuels ‘safe to use’ in the context of the paris climate change agreement of 2015
Key sectors of the global economy where ccs can contribute to deep reductions in emissions
The uniqueness of ccs to complement other low-carbon technologies
How ccs can unlock carbon negative solutions, which will need to be used before mid-century

The principles of the technologies currently used to stop carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere,
The key elements of geology for permanently, and safely, disposing of carbon dioxide underground
The international state of play today
The scale of the industry in the 21st century
Regardless of your background, the course will teach you the key elements to help you better understand

How to protect the atmosphere with the technology of carbon capture and storage, often called ccs, from an excess of carbon dioxide
The fundamental drivers to make fossil fuels ‘safe to use’ in the context of the paris climate change agreement of 2015
Key sectors of the global economy where ccs can contribute to deep reductions in emissions
The uniqueness of ccs to complement other low-carbon technologies
How ccs can unlock carbon negative solutions, which will need to be used before mid-century
The principles of the technologies currently used to stop carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere,
The key elements of geology for permanently, and safely, disposing of carbon dioxide underground
The international state of play today
The scale of the industry in the 21st century
Regardless of your background, the course will teach you the key elements to help you better understand

Syllabus

Block 1 - Climate Drivers

Introduction to the Course

Global Warming

The Carbon Budget of our Atmosphere

CCS in a Nutshell

Carbon Neutrality

Conclusions and Graded Test

Block 2 - CCS Across the Whole Economy

Welcome to Block 2

At what stage is CCS?

Heavy Industries and Manufacturing

Decarbonising Global Energy

Hydrogen

Electricity

Block 3 - Capturing Carbon

Welcome to Block 3

Combustion

Post-Combustion Capture

Capture by Oxyfuel Combustion

Pre-Combustion Capture

Carbon Dioxide Utilisation

Carbon Negative Technologies

Block 4 - Geological Carbon Storage

Welcome to Block 4

The Transport of Carbon Dioxide

Why Geological Storage?

Rocks for Geological Carbon Storage

Reservoirs, Seals and Traps

Storage in Aquifers and Depleted Oil Fields

Trapping the Carbon Dioxide

Leakage and Monitoring

Block 5 - Future Prospects

Welcome to Block 5

Global Storage Capacity

CO2 Pollution and Waste Disposal

Future Developments

A Global Industry

Common Myths and Misconceptions

Conclusions and Graded Test

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Compellingly designed for those with an interest in sustainability, energy, and climate change

Taught by notable academics from the University of Edinburgh, bringing decades of expertise

Delves into the dynamics of global warming and the significance of carbon dioxide emissions

Provides a comprehensive overview of carbon dioxide capture and storage across various sectors, explaining its role in emission reduction strategies

Equips learners with an understanding of the fundamentals of carbon dioxide capture technologies, addressing post-combustion capture and pre-combustion capture

Covers crucial aspects of geological carbon storage, including the selection of suitable storage sites, transport mechanisms, and monitoring strategies

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Climate Change: Carbon Capture and Storage with these activities:

Read 'The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History'

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This book provides a comprehensive overview of the history of climate change and its potential consequences, which will help you better understand the importance of Carbon Capture and Storage.

View The Sixth Extinction (Tenth Anniversary Edition) on Amazon

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Read chapters 1-3 to understand the current state of climate change
Read chapters 4-6 to learn about the history of climate change
Read chapters 7-9 to explore the potential consequences of climate change

Review Course Prerequisites

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Refreshes your foundational knowledge in energy, sustainability, and climate change, boosting comprehension for this course.

Browse courses on Energy

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Revisit basic principles of energy production and consumption
Recall the causes and consequences of climate change

Review key concepts in climate science

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Reviewing key concepts in climate science will help you build a strong foundation for understanding Carbon Capture and Storage.

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Identify and explain the greenhouse effect
Describe the role of carbon dioxide in climate change
Explain the concept of carbon neutrality

Six other activities

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Compile a glossary of key terms

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Creating a glossary of key terms will help you better understand the terminology used in Carbon Capture and Storage.

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Identify key terms in the course materials
Define each term in your own words
Organize the terms into a glossary

Mentor other students in the course

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Mentoring others will help you solidify your understanding of Carbon Capture and Storage and identify areas where you need further development.

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Identify a student who needs help
Provide support and guidance on course material
Review their work and provide feedback

Solve practice problems on carbon capture and storage

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Solving practice problems will help you apply your knowledge of Carbon Capture and Storage to real-world scenarios.

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Identify practice problems in the course materials
Solve the problems using the knowledge you have gained
Review your solutions and identify areas for improvement

Volunteer with a local environmental organization

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Volunteering will help you connect with others who are passionate about climate change and learn about real-world applications of Carbon Capture and Storage.

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Identify a local environmental organization
Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities
Attend volunteer events and participate in activities

Develop a business plan for a carbon capture and storage project

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Developing a business plan will help you understand the financial and technical feasibility of Carbon Capture and Storage projects.

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Identify a potential carbon capture and storage site
Develop a plan for capturing and storing carbon dioxide
Estimate the costs and benefits of the project
Write a business plan outlining your findings

Create a blog post or video explaining Carbon Capture and Storage

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Creating a blog post or video will help you synthesize your knowledge of Carbon Capture and Storage and share it with a wider audience.

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Choose a topic related to Carbon Capture and Storage
Research the topic thoroughly
Write a blog post or create a video that explains the topic in a clear and engaging way

Career center

Learners who complete Climate Change: Carbon Capture and Storage will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Carbon Capture Engineer

Carbon Capture Engineers design, develop, and operate carbon capture systems. This course provides a comprehensive overview of carbon capture technologies, making it an ideal choice for those interested in this field. It covers the principles of carbon capture, the different technologies used, and the challenges and opportunities associated with this technology.

See salaries and explore the career path for Carbon Capture Engineer

Carbon Storage Engineer

Carbon Storage Engineers design, develop, and operate carbon storage systems. This course provides a comprehensive overview of carbon storage technologies, making it an ideal choice for those interested in this field. It covers the principles of carbon storage, the different technologies used, and the challenges and opportunities associated with this technology.

See salaries and explore the career path for Carbon Storage Engineer

Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts research and analyze public policies. They may work in various sectors, such as government, non-profit organizations, and think tanks. This course is perfect for Policy Analysts interested in climate change and energy policy, particularly in carbon capture and storage.

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Climate Scientist

Climate Scientists study the Earth's climate system, including the atmosphere, oceans, and land. This course can be a useful resource for Climate Scientists interested in carbon capture and storage's role in mitigating climate change. They could use the knowledge gained from this course to inform their research and policy recommendations.

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Geologist

Geologists study the Earth's physical structure and history. This course would be useful for Geologists interested in carbon capture and storage. They could work on identifying and characterizing geological formations suitable for storing carbon dioxide. Additionally, they could work on developing new methods for monitoring carbon dioxide storage sites.

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Energy Engineer

Energy Engineers design, develop, and operate energy systems, such as power plants and distribution networks. They may work in various industries, such as utilities, manufacturing, and government. This course can help Energy Engineers understand the role of carbon capture and storage in the transition to a low-carbon energy system. It can also provide them with knowledge of the technologies used to capture and store carbon dioxide.

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Geophysicist

Geophysicists study the Earth's physical properties and processes. This course could be useful for Geophysicists interested in carbon capture and storage. They could work on developing new methods for imaging and monitoring carbon dioxide storage sites, which will help ensure the safe and effective storage of carbon dioxide underground.

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Environmental Engineer

Environmental Engineers develop solutions to environmental issues, such as air and water pollution, and climate change. They may work in various industries, such as manufacturing, construction, and government. This course can be useful for Environmental Engineers who want to learn about carbon capture and storage, which is a key technology for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, it can help them understand the geology of carbon storage and the potential environmental impacts of this technology.

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Science Writer

Science Writers communicate complex scientific information to the public. This course can help Science Writers gain a strong foundation in carbon capture and storage. This will enable them to write engaging and informative articles, blog posts, and other content on the topic.

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Project Manager

Project Managers plan, execute, and close projects. This course can be useful for Project Managers who are working on carbon capture and storage projects. It can help them understand the technical and policy aspects of these projects, which will enable them to manage them more effectively.

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Sustainability Manager

Sustainability Managers develop and implement sustainability strategies for organizations. This course can help Sustainability Managers to get a better understanding of carbon capture and storage. This knowledge can help them make informed decisions regarding their organization's carbon footprint and climate change mitigation strategies.

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Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineers design, develop, and operate mechanical systems, such as engines, turbines, and robots. They may work in various industries, such as manufacturing, automotive, and aerospace. This course could be helpful for Mechanical Engineers interested in designing and developing carbon capture and storage systems. For example, they could work on designing new equipment for capturing carbon dioxide from industrial processes or new systems for transporting and storing carbon dioxide.

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Civil Engineer

Civil Engineers design, construct, and maintain infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and buildings. This course might be helpful for Civil Engineers interested in designing and constructing carbon capture and storage facilities. For example, they could work on designing new pipelines for transporting carbon dioxide or new storage facilities for storing carbon dioxide underground.

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Materials Scientist

Materials Scientists research and develop new materials, such as metals, ceramics, and polymers. They may work in various industries, such as aerospace, automotive, and electronics. This course could be helpful for Materials Scientists interested in developing new materials for carbon capture and storage. For example, they could work on developing new membranes for carbon dioxide separation or new materials for carbon dioxide storage.

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Chemical Engineer

Chemical Engineers develop and design chemical plants, equipment, and processes. While they work with the chemical industry, they also work in other industries, such as food and beverage, aerospace, and manufacturing. This course can help Chemical Engineers gain an understanding of how to reduce carbon emissions and make fossil fuels "safe to use" in the context of the Paris Climate Change agreement of 2015. Learning about geological carbon storage may also prove beneficial. Overall, this course may be useful for Chemical Engineers who want to contribute to reducing climate change.

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