Wolfgang Heidug

Senior Research Fellow

  • Primary Program Climate and Environment
  • Research Interests Low-carbon energy technology and policy

Biography

Wolfgang is an expert on low-carbon energy technology policy with in-depth knowledge of the science and technology of CO2 capture and storage, Prior to joining KAPSARC he was a senior adviser at the International Energy Agency in Paris. Wolfgang also has over 20 years of experience working with Shell International.

Publications

See all Wolfgang’s publications
  • Discussion papers
  • Commentary
  • KAPSARC journal articles
  • Think20 (T20)
Supply-side Climate Policy for Crude Oil Producers

Supply-side Climate Policy for Crude Oil Producers

This paper considers the potential for supply-side climate policy to increase climate action, with a focus on crude oil producers and exporting countries. To date, supply-side policies have not been widely used in efforts to tackle climate change, and the emerging dialogue on the topic tends to focus solely on measures that can curtail and ultimately end fossil fuel production. These strategies, in combination with comprehensive and sustained demand-side climate policy actions, pose a threat to the value of fossil fuel resource endowments held by countries and companies alike.

21st September 2020
A Mechanism for CCS in the Post-Paris Era

A Mechanism for CCS in the Post-Paris Era

The Paris Agreement committed ratifying Parties to hold the increase in the global average temperature to much less than 2°C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C. The Agreement also committed Parties to achieving net-zero emissions in the second half of this century. Technologies involving carbon capture and storage (CCS) are seen as a critical part of a portfolio of low-carbon technologies capable of delivering deep cuts in anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, in line with the Paris Agreement goals. This paper proposes a new, transformative, incentive mechanism for CCS, forged by a ‘club’ of Parties to the Paris Agreement with a common interest: the pursuit of cleaner fossil fuels. A new CCS-specific technology mechanism is suggested as a means by which to unify the club’s actions, built upon a new tradable asset class specific to CCS: a carbon storage unit (CSU). A CSU would represent a verified tonne of carbon securely stored or sequestered in a geological reservoir i.e., a verified record of carbon stock addition to the geosphere, but with no intrinsic emission reduction or removal value. The authors argue that their proposed storage crediting scheme can complement and supplement carbon pricing, unlock new layers of climate finance for CCS, and overcome barriers historically faced by the technology.

7th April 2019
Policy Lessons From China’s CCS Experience

Policy Lessons From China’s CCS Experience

China’s political leadership has taken an increasingly public and proactive stance on climate change since 2014. This includes a commitment that Chinese carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions will peak before 2030 and enacting measures through the 13th Five-Year Plan to support energy efficiency, clean energy technology, and carbon management. Chinese policymakers consider carbon capture and storage (CCS) a critical bridging technology to help accelerate the decarbonization of its economy. This paper reviews and analyses Chinese CCS support policies from the perspective of an adaptive policymaking framework, recognizing uncertainty as an inherent element of the policymaking process, and draws more general lessons for responding to changing circumstances.

2nd July 2018
Enhanced Oil Recovery and CO2 Storage Potential Outside North America: An Economic Assessment

Enhanced Oil Recovery and CO2 Storage Potential Outside North America: An Economic Assessment

Storing carbon dioxide (CO2 ) in oil reservoirs as part of CO2 -based enhanced oil recovery (CO2 -EOR) can be a cost-effective solution to reduce emissions into the atmosphere. In this paper, we analyze the economics of this option in order to estimate the amount of CO2 that could be profitably stored in different regions of the world. We consider situations in which the CO2 -EOR operator either purchases the CO2 supplied or is paid for its storage. Building upon extensive data sets concerning the characteristics and location of oil reservoirs and emission sources, the paper focuses on opportunities outside North America. Using net present value (NPV) as an indicator for profitability, we conduct a break-even analysis to relate CO2 supply prices (positive or negative) to economically viable storage potential.

29th January 2018
Carbon Sequestration Units (CSUs): A New Tool to Mitigate Carbon Emissions

Carbon Sequestration Units (CSUs): A New Tool to Mitigate Carbon Emissions

The United Kingdom’s decision to aim for net zero emissions by 2050 and to enshrine it in law raises the bar for global policymakers as the world seeks to limit the impact of climate change. A recent European Commission paper outlined policy pathways toward carbon neutrality by 2050, but European governments are still at loggerheads as to whether to adopt the target. Climate experts highlight the urgency of cutting carbon emissions to net zero by 2050 if global warming is to be restricted to 1.5 C above pre-industrial levels.

13th January 2020

Related workshops

See all workshops
09
10 Apr

Post-Paris Agreement CCS Policy and Mechanisms

The Paris Agreement provides new avenues to incentivize the international deployment of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. In order to explore some related options in more detail, KAPSARC is hosting an expert workshop on April 9-10, 2019 at the center’s campus in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The meeting will bring together a wide range of […]

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