Review Article

CO2 Capture, Utilization, and Power-to-X Technologies for Sustainable Fuels and Energy Systems: A Review

Abstract

Carbon dioxide capture and utilization (CCU) and Power-to-X (PtX) technologies are increasingly viewed as key enablers of net-zero energy systems, particularly for decarbonizing sectors where direct electrification remains challenging. While a rapidly expanding literature has examined individual CCU and PtX processes, existing reviews largely adopt technology-centric perspectives with inconsistent system boundaries and assumptions, limiting comparability and obscuring system-level climate relevance. This review addresses this gap by providing an integrated, system-level synthesis of CO2 capture, utilization, and Power-to-X pathways for sustainable fuels and energy systems. Building on a harmonized analytical framework, the review evaluates major capture routes, utilization pathways, and synthetic fuel options under consistent assumptions, with particular emphasis on energy demand, net CO2 reduction, and sensitivity to electricity carbon intensity. The analysis demonstrates that overall performance is governed less by component-level efficiencies than by a small set of dominant system drivers, notably electricity carbon intensity, hydrogen demand, and CO2 source characteristics. Results reveal substantial trade-offs between energy input, carbon mitigation potential, and deployment robustness, highlighting that CCU–PtX pathways are inherently context-dependent rather than universally beneficial. By consolidating fragmented insights into a unified decision-oriented framework, this review clarifies where and under what conditions CCU–PtX technologies can deliver meaningful climate benefits. The findings provide actionable guidance for researchers, industry, and policymakers seeking to deploy CCU–PtX pathways strategically within net-zero energy transitions.