Climate protection and the needs of industry – we combine the two

We build infrastructure for the transportation of CO2, thereby facilitating a circular economy around CO2. Within this cycle, we move CO2 from the place of its capture to the destination of its further use or storage.

This way, we combine our efforts towards climate protection with the economic and ecological interests of our customers.

To achieve sustainable climate protection in line with the Paris Agreement on international climate protection (COP21) and the German climate protection goals, we need renewable energies, green gases, and avoidance of CO2 emissions. To intensively support this, OGE is providing a hydrogen infrastructure.

Nevertheless, in a number of industrial production processes CO2 emissions are unavoidable 1: Cement, lime and glass production, for example, will have to emit CO2 in the future, even if it has switched to renewable energies 234. Conversely, the entire organic chemical industry with its downstream value chains needs carbon as a raw material 5.

Circular economy

Offsetting of CO2 emissions through the purchase of CO2 certificates can only be a long-term perspective for avoidable emissions. For unavoidable emissions, a circular economy centered around CO2 can be an efficient alternative for climate protection and for businesses 6.

Climate protection

Avoiding CO2 Emissions
Renewable energies and green gases
Climate-neutral handling of CO2 and carbon

Use our infrastructure for a climate-neutral energy system 

A climate-neutral energy system requires various infrastructures: for electricity, gas, hydrogen, and also for CO2 78.

We work on your behalf, connecting the locations where CO2 is produced, used, or needs to be stored. 

We are already planning this CO2 infrastructure with initial projects and routes. As one of the leading transmission system operators in Europe, we have the expertise and the technical prerequisites for the development of this kind of infrastructure. 

Market Enquiry

Report your CO2 demand to us and participate in the CO2 transport network! If you are still unsure about your specific demand or would like to talk to us about reporting your demand first, we will be happy to help you.
 

  • CO2 capture instead of CO2 emission
  • Use as a raw material in a CO2 circular economy or long-term binding in products
  • CO2 storage

What does OGE achieve through transportation of CO2?

By transporting CO2 between its capture and utilization or its storage, we support the long-term, climate-neutral management of this greenhouse gas 910.

Unavoidable CO2 emissions

In spite of all the measures towards decarbonisation, there are still unavoidable CO2 emissions in branches of industry that do not have alternative processes, products and resources for the same use case. 

CO2 capture

Unavoidable CO2 emissions from industry are collected largely through CO2 capture – either from the air or directly at the source of the emissions. 

CO2 transportation

OGE transports the captured CO2 through its pipeline infrastructure: for use as part of the circular economy or for storage. 

CO2 utilization

CCU (Carbon Capture and Utilization) refers to the usage of previously captured CO2.
 In the long term, carbon or hydrocarbons will still be needed in a climate-neutral system; for example, for air and sea transport or for the chemical industry. For this, the recycling of products containing carbon is becoming ever more important.
 
But because the need cannot be met through recycling alone, additional CCU measures must be applied. In the glossary, you will find further examples of use of CO2.

CO2 circular economy

Recycling of emitted CO2 results in a circular economy. This circular economy is a key element for a competitive transformation of value chains. A circular carbon economy like this makes it possible to combine climate protection and resource conservation. 

CO2 storage

The CO2 can also be transported to the place where it is to be stored.
 As a general rule, CO2 can be stored as soon as it is captured (CCS Carbon Capture and Storage), as well as after capture and usage (CCUS Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage).

Our CO2 grid 

The planned CO2 transport network will transport 18.8 million tonnes of CO2 in the future.
 

Our partners 

The energy transition will only work if businesses and stakeholders cooperate across value chains as well as products and develop and drive forward initiatives together.
 

Sources

1 Deutsche Energie-Agentur GmbH (ed.) (dena, 2021). “dena-Leitstudie Aufbruch Klimaneutralität”, p. 19. 

2Deutsche Energie-Agentur GmbH (ed.) (dena, 2021). “dena-Leitstudie Aufbruch Klimaneutralität”, p. 136.

3Ministry of Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digitalisation and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (ed.). (2021). Kohlenstoff kann Klimaschutz - Carbon Management Strategie Nordrhein-Westfalen, p. 39.

4Fraunhofer ISI, Fleiter, T., Rehfeldt, M., Manz, P., Neuwirth, M. & Herbst, A. (2021, December). Langfristszenarien für die Transformation des Energiesystems in Deutschland 3 - Treibhausgasneutrale Hauptszenarien, Modul Industrie, p. 83.

5 Deutsche Energie-Agentur GmbH (ed.) (dena, 2021). “dena-Leitstudie Aufbruch Klimaneutralität”, p. 137. 

6Ministry of Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digitalisation and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (ed.). (2021). Kohlenstoff kann Klimaschutz - Carbon Management Strategie Nordrhein-Westfalen, p. 36.

7Deutsche Energie-Agentur GmbH (ed.) (dena, 2021). “dena-Leitstudie Aufbruch Klimaneutralität”, p. 224. 

8Ministry of Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digitalisation and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (ed.). (2021). Kohlenstoff kann Klimaschutz - Carbon Management Strategie Nordrhein-Westfalen, p. 49.

9Deutsche Energie-Agentur GmbH (ed.) (dena, 2021). “dena-Leitstudie Aufbruch Klimaneutralität”, p. 13.

10Ministry of Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digitalisation and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (ed.). (2021). Kohlenstoff kann Klimaschutz - Carbon Management Strategie Nordrhein-Westfalen, p. 36.