Modelling of a carbon capture and storage system for the Latvian electricity sector

Abstract: Implementation of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies with the aim to minimise carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere has a significant influence on the national energy sector both from an economic and environmental point of view. Because of economic and technological considerations, the EC Directive on Carbon Capture and Storage determines the obligations only for operators of combustion plants with a rated electrical output of 300 megawatts to ensure the CO2 capture and storage possibilities from 2015. This paper provides a cost analysis for six power plant scenarios with CCS for coal, natural gas and biomass combustion and capture technologies. The results of the paper show the CO2 reduction potential from 2015 to 2020 and changes in the cost of electricity related to the introduction of CCS. Key-Words: energy modelling, carbon capture and storage, electricity production costs, avoided CO2