Cost overview for capture and storage per ton of CO2
The cost to capture and store a ton of CO2 varies widely depending on the capture source, technology, and storage method. Costs are typically expressed as dollars per ton of CO2 avoided or stored.
Capture costs by source
- Point-source capture: capturing CO2 from concentrated industrial streams (like cement or steel plants) is usually cheaper, often ranging from about $30 to $100 per ton depending on the concentration and ease of integration.
- Power plant capture: retrofitting coal or gas plants is more expensive, often in the $50–$150 per ton range depending on plant type and retrofit complexity.
- Direct air capture (DAC): currently more expensive due to low atmospheric concentration, commonly costing several hundred dollars per ton today, though projections aim for significant reductions with scale.
Storage and transport costs
- Transport: pipelines or shipping add costs that depend on distance, volume, and mode—typically a few dollars to tens of dollars per ton for pipeline transport over reasonable distances.
- Storage: injecting CO2 into geological formations adds costs for site characterization, injection, and long-term monitoring—commonly $10–$30 per ton, though it varies by site.
Total cost range
Combining capture, compression, transport, and storage, total costs can range:
- For point-source capture plus storage: roughly $40–$150 per ton in many cases.
- For DAC plus storage: several hundred dollars per ton today, with long-term targets aiming lower as technologies mature.
Factors that influence cost
- CO2 concentration at the source: higher concentrations reduce capture costs.
- Scale and learning: larger projects and manufacturing scale reduce unit costs.
- Energy prices and carbon policy: electricity and heat costs heavily affect capture economics; carbon pricing or incentives improve competitiveness.
Outlook
As technologies improve, policy incentives mature, and infrastructure scales, costs are expected to fall. Point-source capture with storage is already cost-effective in some industrial settings, while DAC is moving from demonstration toward cost reduction with continued investment and deployment.