Carbon capture, utilization, and storage, or CCUS, is a field that has sparked a lot of public debate—and investments. Knowing exactly how much and what quality of carbon has been captured is essential if CCUS is to become a viable addition to the toolset against climate change.
Vaisala ’s new MGP241 multigas probe offers always-on data at a third of the cost compared to measurement solutions most used in CCUS processes today.
Vaisala, a global leader in measurement technology, has launched a new product, the MGP241, which measures CO₂ and humidity. It is specifically designed to bring transparency to CCUS projects.
Both governments and private companies need CCUS to reduce and offset carbon emissions if they are to meet their reported decarbonization targets.
However, with current technology still not ready for widespread use, constant and accurate measurement of captured carbon is vital to ensure the continued development of these projects.
“No one knows yet if CCUS will indeed grow to be a significant solution in our fight against climate change. The technology is still in its early stages. What we can solve now is how to make measuring these projects as transparent and efficient as possible to leave no room for guesswork or sugarcoating the results—our numbers don’t lie,” says Julia Salovaara, Strategy and Business Development Manager at Vaisala.
Critical Industries Depend on CCUS
CCUS has already seen significant investments. According to BloombergNEF, a record $6.4 billion was invested in CCUS technology in 2022, more than doubling from the year before, with the U.S. leading the way, accounting for 45% of the total investments. Yet, many projects are behind schedule or not producing the promised results.
The success of CCUS technology is especially critical for hard-to-abate industries like materials manufacturing, energy production, and the chemical industry. With high emissions and few other significant solutions beyond improving their energy efficiency, these industries face increased pressure from regulators and the public to decarbonize their operations.
One especially crucial industry is the cement industry, which alone emits 7% of global CO₂. Additionally, the global demand for cement is expected to increase by 12–23% by 2050. One early success story in CCUS is Carbonaide, which helps the cement industry utilize captured carbon dioxide in concrete manufacturing.
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Through the carbonization process, Carbonaide’s technology reduces the amount of cement needed in concrete production. While the reduction of cement needed is remarkable—between 20% and 100%—the process also creates permanent storage for the carbon captured from emission sources.
Carbonaide partnered with Vaisala from the start to ensure they know exactly what is happening at each step of the process and, ultimately, how much carbon is stored.
“Globally, Carbonaide’s technology has the potential to store 500 megatons of CO₂ annually by 2050 in precast concrete products—roughly the same annual emissions as France and the UK combined. The investment case we offer our customers is entirely based on accurate measurements and transparency. With Vaisala, we can trust that the numbers we share with our partners are correct,” says Jonne Hirvonen, Chief Operating Officer at Carbonaide.
Transparent Measuring at a Significantly Lower Cost
The MGP241 measures carbon dioxide and humidity in point source and direct air carbon capture processes, as well as in various carbon utilization and storage projects.
Unlike traditional gas analyzers, Vaisala’s MGP241 requires no expensive calibration gases, needs dramatically less maintenance, and promises a lifespan of over 10 years, even in heavy-duty use. The compact size and in-situ design of the instrument have allowed for competitive pricing—about a third of the cost of most common solutions on the market.
“Our new probe measures directly in the gas flow and shows test results in real time. This level of transparency and proof is essential for process optimization, building trust with stakeholders, and demonstrating genuine commitment to sustainability,” concludes Salovaara.
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