A compact economic-feasibility model for comparing CO₂ management pathways under carbon pricing

Abstract

Techno-economic pathways necessary for effective CO₂ management must ensure feasibility not only in technical terms but also within cost-effective, carbon pricing regimes. In this context, this paper offers a succinct comparison framework for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU/ICCU), and efficiency-aimed approaches on a consistent basis. The proposed method incorporates economic assessment-taking into account carbon price adjustments such as incremental cost and the breakeven carbon price-together with net abated CO₂. A key novelty of this framework is the integration of simplified feasibility indicators, including credibility, leakage risks, and implementation feasibility, effectively bridging the gap between idealized technical potential and practical industrial deployment. The calculations point out the logic of a CO₂ price, which makes capture-based options more feasible, whereas implementation options can reach abatement in the short term without governance gaps. Ultimately, this study provides a standardized, metrics-based tool for stakeholders to evaluate carbon mitigation portfolios under varying regulatory and market conditions, ensuring that industrial transitions are both economically optimized and socially robust.

Document Type: Original article

Cited as: Ahmadi, S., Bagheri, M. A compact economic-feasibility model for comparing CO₂ management pathways under carbon pricing. Computational Energy Science, 2026, 3(1): 1-4. https://doi.org/10.46690/compes.2026.01.01

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