U.S. – India Decarbonization Policy Proposal
🌍 Seeking Diverse Solutions for Global Decarbonization 🌱
Radically reducing the carbon footprint of many countries cannot follow a one-size-fits-all tactic, such as the capture, transport, and geologic sequestration (CCUS) approach favored in the U.S. Many developing countries have adopted Net Zero carbon reduction goals but lack the industrial infrastructure, the economic means, or suitable subsurface geology to follow this CCUS development path.
This paper presents India as the exemplar of this dilemma. India’s red hot, coal-based economy and dedication to reducing carbon emissions by increasing significant amounts of renewables must be balanced against the availability of indigenous fuels and fuel security, robust community development through electrification, and limited government policy support and economic resources dedicated to the task. Further, India lacks significant experience with constructing, operating long gas pipelines and also lacks suitable geological resources for subsurface storage of CO2.
A path to decarbonizing the Indian economy is possible through carbon capture coupled with electrolysis to produce green hydrogen for power generation (particularly to fuel new fast-acting turbines necessary to backstop intermittent wind and solar resources for grid stability) and other industrial fuel needs as well as green ammonia that may be co-fired in coal plants to reduce CO2 emissions.
