Climate change is one of the largest current challenges to humankind, requiring a steep emissions reduction. One promising approach is using CO₂ as a resource. Research and development of carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technologies have increased in recent years, putting early‐stage techno‐economic assessment (TEA) in a key role to derive recommendations systematically, to allocate resources efficiently, and overall to push commercialization successfully. Shortcut TEA assessment approaches that reduce assessment detail and effort compared with conventional, full‐scope studies have gained popularity in recent years but have been criticized as comparing apples with oranges. Several open methodological questions remain such as how to implement global assessment standards, how to reduce subjective judgments, and how to compare technologies at different maturities. Herein, a shortcut assessment framework for early‐stage CCU technologies is proposed, based on the perspectives of efficiency, feasibility, and risk (Efferi). The Efferi framework implements the Global CO₂ Initiative's Guidelines, enables comparisons at different technology maturities, and systematically reduces subjective judgments. The Efferi framework provides a starting point for a more robust and easy assessment of early‐stage CCU technologies, leading to clearer go/no‐go recommendations at reduced assessment effort and enabling fairer, “apples to apples” comparisons.

中文翻译：

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苹果和苹果：基于效率，可行性和风险的早期碳捕集和利用技术的快捷评估框架

气候变化是当前人类面临的最大挑战之一，需要大幅度减少排放量。一种有前途的方法是使用CO ₂作为一种资源。近年来，碳捕集与利用（CCU）技术的研究与开发不断增加，使早期的技术经济评估（TEA）发挥了关键作用，可以系统地提出建议，有效分配资源，并整体上成功地推动商业化。与传统的全范围研究相比，捷径TEA评估方法减少了评估的细节和工作量，近年来广受欢迎，但由于将苹果与橙子进行比较而受到批评。尚存在一些开放的方法论问题，例如如何实施全球评估标准，如何减少主观判断以及如何比较不同成熟度的技术。在此，提出了针对早期CCU技术的快捷评估框架，基于效率，可行性和风险（Efferi）的观点。Efferi框架实施了全球CO₂ Initiative的指南，可以对不同技术成熟度进行比较，并系统地减少主观判断。Efferi框架提供了一个起点，可以更健壮，更轻松地评估早期CCU技术，从而在减少评估工作量的情况下提供更清晰的通过/不通过建议，并实现更公平的“苹果对苹果”比较。