Technology Videos

Do We Still Need Carbon Capture & Storage? | Ep250: Emmanouil Kakaras

The episode centers on whether carbon capture and storage (CCS) remains a viable tool in the global energy transition, featuring Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) technology evangelist Emmanouil Kakaras. Host Michael Liebreich frames climate change as fundamentally an engineering challenge and uses the conversation to explore MHI’s broad portfolio—from gas turbines to hydrogen and ammonia solutions—while underscoring the company’s commitment to carbon neutrality by 2040. Kakaras outlines MHI’s technical roadmap: ultra‑high‑temperature gas turbines operating at 1,700 °C, advanced alloy coatings, and low‑NOx combustion systems that preserve efficiency. The firm pursues two parallel decarbonisation tracks—adopting zero‑carbon fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia, and deploying end‑of‑pipe CCS to strip CO₂ from existing fossil‑fuel fleets. Since 2019 MHI has pledged a 50 % reduction in scope 1‑3 emissions by 2030, integrating hydrogen‑fired turbines and pioneering ammonia combustion despite its inherent nitrogen‑oxide hurdles. Notable moments include Liebreich’s reminder that “most emissions are caused by the stuff we build,” and Kakaras’ claim that MHI was among the first to develop a hydrogen‑fired turbine. He also cites the company’s 78,000‑person global workforce and its Japanese‑quality manufacturing ethos as competitive advantages. The discussion highlights recent breakthroughs in ammonia‑fuel combustion that mitigate NOx formation, a critical step toward viable, carbon‑neutral power generation. The implications are clear: CCS and advanced turbine technologies will be indispensable for meeting near‑term climate targets, especially where renewable penetration is limited. Investors and policymakers should watch MHI’s dual‑path strategy, as it offers a pragmatic bridge between existing fossil infrastructure and a future powered by clean fuels, potentially shaping standards for global decarbonisation efforts.