Tag: 2024-2025

In an era of dynamic change and transformative innovation, the CSN Academic Calendar 2024-2025 emerges as an indispensable guide, a beacon illuminating the path for students, faculty, and staff alike. This meticulously crafted calendar serves as a roadmap, charting the course of academic pursuits and milestones, while also providing valuable insights into the institution’s commitment to excellence, equity, and engagement.

As we embark on this academic journey together, this calendar becomes our steadfast companion, offering clarity and structure amidst the complexities of modern higher education. With its comprehensive listing of important dates, deadlines, and events, it empowers us to plan our semesters strategically, ensuring we make the most of every opportunity. From the commencement of fall term to the culmination of spring commencement, this calendar guides us seamlessly through the academic landscape, ensuring a smooth and enriching experience for all stakeholders.

Moreover, the CSN Academic Calendar 2024-2025 transcends its traditional function as a mere timekeeper. It embodies the institution’s vision and values, reflecting the dynamic and collaborative nature of the CSN community. Through its inclusion of special events, workshops, and guest speaker engagements, this calendar serves as a catalyst for intellectual exploration, professional development, and community building. It is a testament to CSN’s commitment to fostering a vibrant and inclusive learning environment where every individual has the opportunity to thrive.

Emerging Perspectives on Carbon Removal Technologies

In light of the urgent need to mitigate climate change, carbon removal technologies have emerged as a promising and necessary approach for reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels. These technologies offer the potential to capture and store CO2 from various sources, including industrial processes, power plants, and the atmosphere itself. By effectively removing CO2 from the atmosphere, carbon removal technologies can significantly contribute to achieving climate change mitigation targets and avoiding the worst impacts of global warming.

Several technological approaches are being explored and developed for carbon removal, each with its potential advantages and challenges. One promising approach is direct air capture (DAC), which involves using specialized equipment to extract CO2 directly from the ambient air. DAC has the advantage of being able to capture CO2 from a wide range of sources, including areas with high levels of CO2 emissions. However, DAC is still a relatively energy-intensive process, and its scalability and cost-effectiveness need to be further improved.

Another promising approach is bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS). BECCS involves cultivating fast-growing plants that absorb CO2 during the growth process. The plants are then harvested and burned to produce energy, while the CO2 released during combustion is captured and stored underground. BECCS has the advantage of being able to capture large amounts of CO2 while also providing a source of renewable energy. However, BECCS requires large land areas for plant cultivation, and the sustainability of the biomass feedstock needs to be carefully considered.

Other carbon removal technologies include ocean fertilization, enhanced weathering, and carbon mineralization. Ocean fertilization involves adding nutrients to the ocean to stimulate the growth of phytoplankton, which absorb CO2 during photosynthesis. Enhanced weathering involves spreading crushed silicate rocks on land to accelerate the natural weathering process, which absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere. Carbon mineralization involves capturing CO2 and reacting it with minerals to form stable carbonate compounds that can be stored underground.

The development and deployment of carbon removal technologies face several challenges, including cost, scalability, and environmental impacts. Cost is a significant barrier, as many carbon removal technologies are still relatively expensive to implement. Scalability is another challenge, as it is necessary to capture and store large amounts of CO2 to make a meaningful impact on atmospheric CO2 levels. Environmental impacts also need to be carefully considered, as some carbon removal technologies may have unintended consequences on ecosystems and biodiversity.

Despite the challenges, there is a growing recognition of the importance of carbon removal technologies in mitigating climate change. Governments, research institutions, and private companies are investing heavily in research and development to improve the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and environmental sustainability of these technologies. As carbon removal technologies continue to advance, they are expected to play an increasingly significant role in the global effort to reduce atmospheric CO2 levels and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Table of Carbon Removal Technologies

The Role of CCS in Mitigating Climate Change

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) plays a significant role in mitigating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from industrial activities. By capturing and storing the carbon dioxide produced by power plants, refineries, and other industries, CCS prevents these emissions from entering the atmosphere and contributing to global warming.

Applications of CCS

CCS has a wide range of applications in various sectors, including:

• Power generation: Capturing CO2 from coal-fired power plants before it is released into the atmosphere.
• Industrial processes: Removing CO2 from emissions from cement, steel, and chemical production.
• Natural gas processing: Separating CO2 from natural gas before it is distributed for use.
• Enhanced oil recovery: Injecting CO2 into oil fields to increase production while also storing it underground.

Benefits of CCS

CCS offers several benefits in mitigating climate change, including:

• Emission reduction: CCS can capture up to 90% of CO2 emissions from industrial sources, significantly reducing their contribution to global warming.
• Cost-effectiveness: CCS is a cost-effective way to reduce emissions compared to other mitigation strategies, such as renewable energy or energy efficiency.
• Energy security: CCS can enhance energy security by enabling the continued use of fossil fuels while reducing their environmental impact.
• Job creation: The CCS industry creates new jobs in engineering, construction, and operation, supporting economic growth.

Innovation in Carbon Capture and Storage

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a critical technology for mitigating climate change. It involves capturing carbon dioxide emissions from industrial processes or power plants and storing them underground or in geological formations. This prevents the carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere, where it can contribute to global warming.

Underground Storage

The most common method of CCS is to inject carbon dioxide into deep geological formations, such as depleted oil and gas reservoirs or saline aquifers. Rock formations that are permeable and porous, such as sandstone or limestone, are suitable for underground carbon dioxide storage. The carbon dioxide is injected into these formations under high pressure, and it becomes trapped in the pore spaces of the rock. Over time, the carbon dioxide can also react with the minerals in the rock, forming stable carbonate minerals that further immobilize the carbon dioxide.

Novel Storage Concepts

In addition to traditional underground storage, researchers are exploring new and innovative concepts for carbon dioxide storage. These include:

International Collaboration for Carbon Neutralization

International collaboration plays a vital role in promoting carbon neutrality by facilitating knowledge-sharing, best practice transfer, and joint research efforts.

Global Partnerships

The establishment of international partnerships, such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), enables countries to collaborate on climate change mitigation strategies, including carbon neutrality targets.

Technology Transfer

Enhancing technology cooperation is crucial in accelerating the adoption of low-carbon technologies. Collaborative efforts can foster the transfer of expertise, financial support, and infrastructure development, particularly in developing countries.

Joint Research and Innovation

International collaboration in research and innovation promotes the development of groundbreaking solutions for carbon reduction and removal. Joint projects foster knowledge exchange, resource pooling, and the dissemination of new technologies.

Capacity Building

Building capacity in developing countries is essential for effective carbon neutrality implementation. International collaboration supports initiatives that train local experts, establish monitoring systems, and develop policy frameworks to facilitate the transition to a low-carbon economy.

The Economic Impact of CCS and Carbon Pricing

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) and carbon pricing are crucial strategies in mitigating climate change and transitioning to a low-carbon economy. Both approaches have significant economic implications, affecting industries, consumers, and governments.

Job Creation and Economic Growth

CCS projects create employment opportunities in engineering, construction, and operation. It also stimulates economic growth by supporting industries such as energy, manufacturing, and transportation.

Reduced Energy Costs

CCS can reduce energy costs by capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from power plants and industrial processes, allowing for cleaner and more efficient use of fossil fuels. This can lower the overall operating costs of these industries.

Increased Energy Security

CCS enhances energy security by reducing dependence on foreign oil and gas imports. By capturing and storing domestic CO2, countries can diversify their energy sources and reduce geopolitical risks.

Carbon Pricing: Economic Drivers and Challenges

Carbon pricing mechanisms, such as carbon taxes or cap-and-trade systems, put a price on CO2 emissions. This provides economic incentives for industries to reduce their emissions and invest in low-carbon technologies.

Economic Impacts of Carbon Pricing

Carbon Neutrality Goals and the Role of CCS

Introduction

To combat climate change, reaching carbon neutrality is critical. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) plays a pivotal role in decarbonizing various industries and achieving this goal.

How CCS Works

CCS involves capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted from industrial processes before it escapes into the atmosphere. The captured CO2 is then transported and injected deep underground for permanent storage.

Benefits of CCS

CCS offers several benefits, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions from heavy-emitting industries. It supports the decarbonization of sectors like power generation, cement, and steel production, enabling them to continue operating while mitigating their environmental impact.

CCS Deployment Challenges

Despite its potential, CCS deployment faces challenges. These include high capital costs, technical hurdles, and concerns about geological storage security. Addressing these challenges requires government support, technological advancements, and public acceptance.

Current Status and Future Prospects

Currently, CCS projects are operating worldwide, demonstrating its feasibility and potential. Several major projects are underway, with plans for deployment in the coming years. The future of CCS appears promising as it becomes an increasingly integral part of strategies to achieve carbon neutrality.

Government and Industry Collaboration

Collaboration between governments and industries is crucial for advancing CCS. Government policies, financial incentives, and research support can accelerate CCS development and deployment. Industries, in turn, need to invest in CCS technologies and demonstrate the technology’s viability and cost-effectiveness.

This table demonstrates the projected growth of CCS capacity, projects, and cumulative CO2 storage by 2024 and 2025, highlighting the potential for CCS to contribute significantly to carbon neutrality goals.

Advances in CO2 Transportation and Utilization

7. EOR and EOR-CCUS

Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) is a technique used to increase oil production from existing oil fields. CO2 can be used as an EOR agent to displace oil from the reservoir. The CO2 is injected into the reservoir, where it dissolves into the oil and reduces its viscosity, making it easier to flow. This technique can significantly increase oil production and extend the life of oil fields.

EOR-CCUS is a combination of EOR and carbon capture and storage (CCS). In this process, the CO2 that is injected into the reservoir for EOR is captured and stored underground, preventing its release into the atmosphere. This technique can reduce the carbon footprint of oil production and contribute to climate change mitigation.

Long-Term Storage Solutions for Captured Carbon

Geological Storage

Underground storage is a widely explored option for sequestering carbon dioxide (CO2) for the long term. Suitable geological formations include depleted oil and gas reservoirs, deep saline aquifers, and unmineable coal seams. The process involves injecting CO2 into these formations under high pressure, where it is trapped within the pores and fractures of the rock. This method offers the potential to store vast quantities of CO2 permanently, as the injected gas is less likely to escape over geological timescales.

Ocean Storage

The ocean’s vast volume presents another potential storage site for captured CO2. Options include injecting CO2 into deep ocean waters, where it dissolves and forms carbonic acid, or storing it in sub-seabed geological formations. Deep ocean storage poses challenges, such as potential leakage and environmental impacts on marine life. However, sub-seabed geological storage offers more stable and secure long-term storage conditions.

Mineral Carbonation

Mineral carbonation involves reacting CO2 with magnesium- or calcium-rich minerals, such as olivine or serpentine, to form stable carbonate minerals. These minerals can then be permanently stored underground or used in building materials. Mineral carbonation offers a potential net negative carbon footprint, as it reduces CO2 emissions while providing materials with inherent carbon capture properties.

Biochar Production

Biochar is a carbon-rich solid produced by heating biomass under limited oxygen conditions. It is stable and resistant to decomposition, making it a suitable storage option for captured CO2. Biochar can be used in soil amendments, improving soil fertility and storing carbon in the soil column.

Utilization in Industrial Processes

Capturing CO2 for utilization in industrial processes is another emerging solution. CO2 can be repurposed for enhanced oil recovery (EOR), where it is injected into oil reservoirs to increase oil extraction efficiency. It can also be used in the production of chemicals, fuels, and building materials, reducing the need for fossil fuel-based feedstocks and contributing to the circular economy.

8. Direct Air Capture and Storage

Direct air capture (DAC) is a technology that removes CO2 directly from the atmosphere. Captured CO2 can then be stored using geological storage, ocean storage, or mineral carbonation methods described earlier. DAC has the potential to actively reduce atmospheric CO2 levels and mitigate climate change, but it requires significant energy inputs and cost reductions to become a widely viable option.

Public Policy and Regulation for Carbon Removal

Federal Policies

The Biden administration has made carbon removal a priority, with several initiatives aimed at supporting research, development, and deployment of these technologies. These include the Carbon Negative Shot, which aims to develop pathways to remove billions of tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by 2050, and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which provides billions of dollars in funding for carbon removal projects.

State Policies

Several states have also enacted policies to support carbon removal, including California, Washington, and New York. These policies include tax credits, grants, and other incentives for carbon removal projects. Many states have also adopted low-carbon fuel standards, which require transportation fuels to have a lower carbon intensity over time. Carbon removal can help meet these standards and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation.

Regulation of Carbon Removal

As carbon removal technologies mature and become more widely deployed, they will need to be regulated to ensure their environmental and safety impacts are properly managed. This includes regulating the geological storage of carbon dioxide, the use of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), and the transportation of carbon dioxide. Several regulatory frameworks are under development in the United States and internationally to address these issues.

International Cooperation

Carbon removal is a global challenge that requires international cooperation. Several international organizations, including the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the International Energy Agency (IEA), are working to develop best practices and guidelines for carbon removal. The United States is also working with other countries through the Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) Working Group of the G7 to promote the development and deployment of carbon removal technologies.

Public Acceptance and Engagement

Public acceptance is critical for the successful deployment of carbon removal technologies. It is important to educate the public about the benefits and risks of carbon removal, and to involve them in the decision-making process.

Investment and Financing

Carbon removal technologies require significant investment and financing. Public and private investment will be needed to support research, development, and deployment of these technologies. Governments can provide tax credits, grants, and other incentives to attract private investment.

Research and Development

Continued research and development is needed to improve the efficiency and cost of carbon removal technologies. This research includes developing new materials and processes for capturing carbon dioxide, and improving the efficiency of geological storage and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage.

Monitoring and Verification

It is important to monitor and verify the performance of carbon removal projects to ensure they are meeting their goals. This includes monitoring the amount of carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere, as well as the environmental and safety impacts of the projects.

Education and Outreach

Education and outreach are important to raise awareness of carbon removal technologies and their potential to mitigate climate change. This includes educating policymakers, the public, and the scientific community about the benefits and risks of carbon removal, and the research and development needed to advance these technologies.

The Future of CCS and Its Potential

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Technology

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is a process that involves capturing carbon dioxide (CO₂) from industrial processes or power plants, transporting it, and storing it underground in geological formations. CCS technology plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Advantages of CCS

CCS offers several advantages, including:

• Reduces greenhouse gas emissions from industrial and power-generating processes.
• Contributes to achieving net-zero emission targets.
• Enhances energy security by diversifying energy sources.
• Creates jobs and stimulates economic growth in the clean energy sector.

Challenges and Opportunities

CCS faces certain challenges and opportunities, such as:

• High costs associated with carbon capture and storage.
• Concerns over the safety and long-term integrity of geological storage sites.
• Need for supportive policies and incentives to promote CCS deployment.

Future Outlook for CCS

The future of CCS is promising, with increasing recognition of its potential to mitigate climate change. Governments and industries are investing in research and development to overcome challenges and improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of CCS technology.

Table: Potential Benefits of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)

Our Perspective on the CSN Calendar for 2024-2025

The College of Southern Nevada (CSN) recently announced its academic calendar for the 2024-2025 academic year. As members of the CSN community, we’d like to offer our perspective on this important document.

Overall, we believe that the CSN calendar provides a flexible and accessible framework for students to plan their academic journeys. The calendar includes a variety of academic sessions, including full-term, half-term, and summer sessions. This flexibility allows students to choose a schedule that best fits their needs and commitments.

We also appreciate the CSN calendar’s alignment with the needs of working professionals. Many CSN students balance their academic pursuits with demanding careers. The calendar provides a variety of evening and weekend classes, as well as online courses. This flexibility makes it possible for working professionals to pursue their educational goals without having to sacrifice their careers.

People Also Ask About the CSN Calendar 2024-2025

When does the Fall 2024 semester start?

The Fall 2024 semester starts on Monday, August 26th.

When does the Spring 2025 semester end?

The Spring 2025 semester ends on Friday, May 16th.

Are there any breaks during the academic year?

Yes, there are several breaks during the academic year, including Thanksgiving break, winter break, and spring break.

Can I find the CSN calendar online?

Yes, the CSN calendar is available online at the following link: [Link to CSN calendar]