White Paper: The Hub-Only Pipeline Topology (HOPT) - India’s Public Good Architecture for Carbon Management

The Hub-Only Pipeline Topology (HOPT) introduces a novel, India-specific carbon management architecture that redefines the conventional Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) paradigm. Traditional point-to-sink CCUS systems, reliant on extensive CO₂ pipeline networks, are infeasible in India due to dispersed emitters, high flue-gas SO₂ levels, and land-use constraints. HOPT overcomes these challenges through a hub-centric, solid-looping framework that captures CO₂ as solid carbonates at emitters and regenerates pure CO₂ gas at regional hubs. This model replaces continuous gas transport with solid logistics, connecting only the hubs through short, high-capacity pipelines. The result is a 60% reduction in pipeline length, 96% fewer compression stations, and ₹12–15 lakh crore in national lifecycle savings. Beyond technological innovation, HOPT represents a public good infrastructure, integrating thousands of industries into a unified carbon network that is modular, inclusive, and domestically manufacturable. It enables 2.5–3 million direct jobs, reduces SO₂ emissions by over 70%, and aligns with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat, National CCUS, and Net Zero 2070 missions. By transforming carbon management into a shared national asset, HOPT establishes the foundational climate infrastructure for India’s equitable and self-reliant transition to a low-carbon economy — and offers a replicable model for the Global South.