The first method is to inject CO2 into the oceans. Under this approach, CO2 generated by a power plant is injected directly into the ocean, and the injected CO2 may become trapped in ocean sediments. The second method is to enhance the ocean's CO2 uptake from the atmosphere through a method such as iron fertilization. Scientists are also studying the biological and ecological responses and impacts from this approach. Conversion and utilization is to convert CO2 into fuels, useful products, or benign solids.
Carbon sequestration is a new field of science and technology, and the costs are still high.
David Beecy of DOE, Vello Kuuskraa of Advanced Resources International and Phil DiPietro of Energetics said in their presentation that the goal of the DOE carbon sequestration program is to reduce the cost of carbon sequestration such that it increases the cost of energy services by less than 5 percent. Speakers at the conference addressed not only the cost issues, but also emphasized the importance of public acceptance of the carbon sequestration pathways, and developing an accepted system to measure and verify the amount of carbon sequestered.