If you would like to listen to the talk click HERE
|
Understanding Peak Cluster Pipeline
What is carbon capture - is this the right way to reduce CO2 emissions? We hosted a talk at The Venue on Monday 22nd April with speakers John Egan (pipeline project manager) and Spencer (cement work in Peak District). All businesses are looking for ways to reduce their emissions such as Carbon Dioxide (CO2), but especially big emitters such as cement and lime manufacturers and waste-to-energy plants. With 40% of all UK cement and lime manufactured in the Peak District, these industries play a key role in modern society and create the foundations for everyday life. Peak Cluster is a proposed collaboration between five major cement and lime manufacturers in Derbyshire and Staffordshire owned by Tarmac, Breedon, Lhoist and Aggregate Industries, together with Lostock Sustainable Energy Plant (LSEP) which is currently under construction. The plan is to capture the CO2 in purpose built facilities situated on each existing site and then transport it via an underground pipeline for storage beneath the sea in depleted Morecambe Bay gas fields. Their Claim: Peak Cluster claim they'll remove over 3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year starting from 2030, storing emissions in depleted gas fields in the Irish Sea. There are currently two proposed pipeline route options located in areas nearby to Northwich. |
L to R: Cement Works, John Egan - Project Director Peak Cluster, Map of the pipeline
We've collected useful videos and articles to help us all learn more. See all HERE
or click on the links below:
Notes from the talk:
Chair, Nigel Hennerly, explained the climate crisis: "2023 was the warmest year on record for the last 100,000 years, and 1.48C above pre-industrial. We’ll lose all Arctic ice in the 2030s, with its albedo. 44% of UK electricity is renewable, but all the other energy…
We’ve got to be 90% renewable by 2040. Carbon capture might help. Legislation shifts the onus onto future
generations – with a target of ‘by 2040’, we’ll get serious around 2039 – will we?"
Cement is essential for construction. 7% of all global emissions is from cement making. Includes lime as a
small proportion. 2/3 of those emissions from from the CaCO3 breakdown. The Derbyshire plants produce
about 40% of our production, releasing 3m t CO2 pa. LSE about 600 tpa. These cement works have been in
operation for generations, some over a century. The equipment to capture the CO2 is big. It will be taken to
depleted gas fields in the Irish Sea, inc Morecambe Bay, that will be empty by 2030 – so no enhanced
recovery.
When the pipe reaches the coast, it’s taken over by Spirit Energy, for injection at up to 25m tpa.
As National Infrastructure, half the leadup time is consulting – about 3.5 years, so construction from 2027.
Kath Fallon asked about low impact cement, adding fly ash and slag – but they’re decreasing in availability in
the UK. Blast furnaces are being closed down, there’s maybe one left, likely closed soon.
In depleted oil/gas fields, UK has 1/3 of Europe’s; Norway also has lots.
QUESTION (James Kelly): has CCS been conducted succesfully? Sleipner’s had its problems.
ANSWER: our wells have been holding a CO2 rich mix with its CH4, so we know it holds.
They’re starting to do seismic surveying.
We need some despatchable electricity, to help match power demand to supply. Eg gas powered power
stations. Connah’s Quay is aiming for CCS.
QUESTION: (Katrina Stewart, NTC) there’s no incentives for reducing burnable waste.
QUESTION: A local Rudheath resident asked about a whether they’d be using a disused pipeline. There’s been a local
history of leaks, chlorine and brine.
A: no they’re not repurposing a pipe.
QUESTION: Mike Green, local Green candidate: are Peak Cluster and Hynet reliant on each other?
Peak Cluster is independent of HyNet, and can be viable alone, but can tie in with LSE (via a spur), and as part of National Infrastructure is obliged to connect to other sources, as an OFGEM regulated asset.
QUESTION: Local Resident: CO2 is hazardous?
HSE is doing research into the dangers.
QUESTION: A Lostock resident asked why LSE feedstock couldn’t be transorted by rail.
QUESTION: Mark: will the CO2 be pure enough to avoid pipeline corrosion? Whether form PC or LSE? They’re different
processes. The pipeline operator will have the power to cut off bad supplies.
QUESTION: Roy Kennett, NTC. The government is guaranteeing a price for CO2, as a Contract for Difference.
John Roach, Green Party: there’s a need for cleaner cement, what about using electricity? It’s being looked
at elsewhere. Sleipner is leaking, and capped wells leak. Monitoring is only institured for 20 years. We can’t
capture 100%, pipes leak, as demonstrated by gas pipes. A: Cement making needs 1000C (2000C?), hence
the advantage of waste fuels. Hydrogen flames have low radiance, so little use; electricity is better.
After CO2 removal, there may still be pollutants to go up the stack; they’ll need to remodel its dispersal
withouut CO2.
The maturity of the technology leads them to stick to BAU for cement works. Whatever heating mode,
there’s still CO2 from CaCO3. Other uses for CO2 are small.
Web – peakcluster.co.uk, [email protected]
Before laying, there’ll be ecological and archaeological surveys.
There’s a waste to energy plant in Norway, that’s been forced to close due to CCS. Economic issues?
Pipelines over 16km (m?) are National Infrastructure. Don’t go through planning. In the DCO, half the time is
in consultation (including with LA, Natural England), half in building. Unlike in planning, it’s not a yes/no
answer. There’s ultimately a public hearing, open to the public and livestreamed.
Mark Hudson: has written a history of CCS in the UK. A long saga. They’ve been talking about CCS for
years, the policy elites interested since 2003, presentations like this since 2007. This has been the best
argument for yet (many others are by oil companies, interested in BAU.) A big sopa opera! What happens if
the scheme crumbles? John Egan keen to make it happen. There’s been 2 previous failures – by policy, lack
of political will, before net zero happened.
The government decides who can connect to the pipe.
Chair, Nigel Hennerly, explained the climate crisis: "2023 was the warmest year on record for the last 100,000 years, and 1.48C above pre-industrial. We’ll lose all Arctic ice in the 2030s, with its albedo. 44% of UK electricity is renewable, but all the other energy…
We’ve got to be 90% renewable by 2040. Carbon capture might help. Legislation shifts the onus onto future
generations – with a target of ‘by 2040’, we’ll get serious around 2039 – will we?"
Cement is essential for construction. 7% of all global emissions is from cement making. Includes lime as a
small proportion. 2/3 of those emissions from from the CaCO3 breakdown. The Derbyshire plants produce
about 40% of our production, releasing 3m t CO2 pa. LSE about 600 tpa. These cement works have been in
operation for generations, some over a century. The equipment to capture the CO2 is big. It will be taken to
depleted gas fields in the Irish Sea, inc Morecambe Bay, that will be empty by 2030 – so no enhanced
recovery.
When the pipe reaches the coast, it’s taken over by Spirit Energy, for injection at up to 25m tpa.
As National Infrastructure, half the leadup time is consulting – about 3.5 years, so construction from 2027.
Kath Fallon asked about low impact cement, adding fly ash and slag – but they’re decreasing in availability in
the UK. Blast furnaces are being closed down, there’s maybe one left, likely closed soon.
In depleted oil/gas fields, UK has 1/3 of Europe’s; Norway also has lots.
QUESTION (James Kelly): has CCS been conducted succesfully? Sleipner’s had its problems.
ANSWER: our wells have been holding a CO2 rich mix with its CH4, so we know it holds.
They’re starting to do seismic surveying.
We need some despatchable electricity, to help match power demand to supply. Eg gas powered power
stations. Connah’s Quay is aiming for CCS.
QUESTION: (Katrina Stewart, NTC) there’s no incentives for reducing burnable waste.
QUESTION: A local Rudheath resident asked about a whether they’d be using a disused pipeline. There’s been a local
history of leaks, chlorine and brine.
A: no they’re not repurposing a pipe.
QUESTION: Mike Green, local Green candidate: are Peak Cluster and Hynet reliant on each other?
Peak Cluster is independent of HyNet, and can be viable alone, but can tie in with LSE (via a spur), and as part of National Infrastructure is obliged to connect to other sources, as an OFGEM regulated asset.
QUESTION: Local Resident: CO2 is hazardous?
HSE is doing research into the dangers.
QUESTION: A Lostock resident asked why LSE feedstock couldn’t be transorted by rail.
QUESTION: Mark: will the CO2 be pure enough to avoid pipeline corrosion? Whether form PC or LSE? They’re different
processes. The pipeline operator will have the power to cut off bad supplies.
QUESTION: Roy Kennett, NTC. The government is guaranteeing a price for CO2, as a Contract for Difference.
John Roach, Green Party: there’s a need for cleaner cement, what about using electricity? It’s being looked
at elsewhere. Sleipner is leaking, and capped wells leak. Monitoring is only institured for 20 years. We can’t
capture 100%, pipes leak, as demonstrated by gas pipes. A: Cement making needs 1000C (2000C?), hence
the advantage of waste fuels. Hydrogen flames have low radiance, so little use; electricity is better.
After CO2 removal, there may still be pollutants to go up the stack; they’ll need to remodel its dispersal
withouut CO2.
The maturity of the technology leads them to stick to BAU for cement works. Whatever heating mode,
there’s still CO2 from CaCO3. Other uses for CO2 are small.
Web – peakcluster.co.uk, [email protected]
Before laying, there’ll be ecological and archaeological surveys.
There’s a waste to energy plant in Norway, that’s been forced to close due to CCS. Economic issues?
Pipelines over 16km (m?) are National Infrastructure. Don’t go through planning. In the DCO, half the time is
in consultation (including with LA, Natural England), half in building. Unlike in planning, it’s not a yes/no
answer. There’s ultimately a public hearing, open to the public and livestreamed.
Mark Hudson: has written a history of CCS in the UK. A long saga. They’ve been talking about CCS for
years, the policy elites interested since 2003, presentations like this since 2007. This has been the best
argument for yet (many others are by oil companies, interested in BAU.) A big sopa opera! What happens if
the scheme crumbles? John Egan keen to make it happen. There’s been 2 previous failures – by policy, lack
of political will, before net zero happened.
The government decides who can connect to the pipe.
Volunteer Days
Rod's Secret Garden and Dane Valley Community Orchard Join us in Rod's Secret Garden on most Tuesdays and Fridays this spring. We can offer children's crafts and nature activities and apprrciate you helping us to care for the garden. It's all free. Pop in 10am-2pm Directions and opening times: Here Drop into the orchard anytime. Check out the Dane Valley Community facebook page for forthcoming event details and find directions: HERE We volunteer there on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month. |
Borrow a Litter Kit from Northwich library!
Cllr Lee Siddall launched the Litter Heroes group last year. After several well-attended group clean ups the group adapted well to lock-down. The Facebook group now has ~ 300 followers and lots of residents go out regularly to clean their local areas. You can now borrow a grabber kit from Northwich Library (chidren's sized grabber available)! Each kit includes a high viz vest, top tips guide, bags and grabber to get you started. Thank you to the Canal & River Trust for supporting this scheme. Find out more and read our guidance on safe litter picking, here: Litter Heroes Assemble |
Cook seasonal, nutritiously and local..
Transition Northwich FOOD is a mouth watering page where we post recipes that can be made with affordable, low-impact and seasonal ingredients. You can comment and share recipes, good foraging areas and where to find fruit trees. Fancy getting involved in the cooking revolution or 'meat free May' ?
Transition Northwich FOOD is a mouth watering page where we post recipes that can be made with affordable, low-impact and seasonal ingredients. You can comment and share recipes, good foraging areas and where to find fruit trees. Fancy getting involved in the cooking revolution or 'meat free May' ?
Coming Soon: Working with our council
Residents can attend Northwich Town Council meetings to find out about what is happening in the town and share thoughts.
General town council meet on the first Monday on each month. 6pm at Council Office https://www.northwichtowncouncil.gov.uk/council-meetings/ If you wish to attend or speak please email [email protected] in advance
Planning & Environment Committee and Finance & General Purposes Committee meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month
General town council meet on the first Monday on each month. 6pm at Council Office https://www.northwichtowncouncil.gov.uk/council-meetings/ If you wish to attend or speak please email [email protected] in advance
Planning & Environment Committee and Finance & General Purposes Committee meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month
1. WORKING TOGETHER: in response to our request to set up a 'green working group' the council have offered to hold 4 meetings a year with us and other local eco groups. Five councillors including the Town Mayor Sam Naylor expressed their intent in join this sub-group which will report back to whole council. This is potentially a very effective way to develop environmental actions together, to benefit current and future residents, and help Northwich actively support CWAC's declaration of a Climate Emergency.
2. RESTART 'Plastic Free Northwich'
Although Adam Gerrard (BiD) was attending we did not discuss our progress re Plastic Free Northwich.
We'll feedback to council when he has had time to discuss ideas with the BiD team.
4. Tree Survey of town centre trees
To assess for safety. Idea: We would be interested to see a list of tree species, perhaps residents might like to to 'adopt' trees?
3. Reflection benches and new garden
Benches be installed in town parks for residents to relax and enjoy. More Northwich Lion Cubs will appear, decorated by local schools.
4. Wildflowers but no no-mow?
Chris Shaw reported that the council have identified areas for wildflowers sowing. Idea: would the council also identify areas for no-mow and stop using glyphoste herbicides.
Other news we heard at this Council meeting:
This month was budget night. We are aware from a previous meeting that Northwich Town Council bank with Royal Bank for Scotland. RBS scores in the lowest quartile of banks for Climate, environment and ethical practise (Ethical Consumer) and RBS reportedly invests in nuclear armaments. We will ask the council to reconsider their choice of bank.
Consultation on a Wilder Cheshire and Warrington
Cheshire West and Chester survey: Working together for a wilder Cheshire and Warrington. Complete by 31 March 2024. https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/your-council/consultations-and-petitions/consultations/current-consultations/working-together-for-a-wilder-cheshire-and-warrington.
Cheshire West and Chester survey: Working together for a wilder Cheshire and Warrington. Complete by 31 March 2024. https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/your-council/consultations-and-petitions/consultations/current-consultations/working-together-for-a-wilder-cheshire-and-warrington.