“Breaking Ground: Climeworks Unveils Next-Gen Carbon Capture Technology with Generation 3 DAC”
Switzerland-based Climeworks has recently unveiled its next phase of capturing carbon dioxide with the introduction of its Generation 3 direct air capture (DAC) technology. This new technology is a significant leap forward, as it is capable of capturing twice the amount of CO2 per module compared to its predecessor, all while reducing energy consumption and associated costs by half.
The key to the Generation 3 technology’s success lies in its upgraded filter, which allows for increased direct surface contact with the CO2. This results in higher capture totals and reduced time spent on the process, making it more efficient and cost-effective.
According to a recent report by CarbonBrief titled “The State of Carbon Dioxide Removal 2024,” advancements in DAC technology, such as Climeworks’ Generation 3, have become a primary focus for corporate and large investors in carbon dioxide removal. Major CDR startups like Climeworks and Carbon Engineering have received investments from corporations looking to offset emissions from their core businesses, including Microsoft, Airbus, Chevron, and JP Morgan.
Climeworks’ journey in the carbon capture space began with its first commercial-scale plant, Orca, located in Iceland. Orca, classified as second-generation technology, utilizes large fans to move air through a filter that captures CO2. The captured CO2 is then mixed with water and injected for permanent storage underground. Orca can capture around 4,000 tons of carbon annually from the atmosphere.
Building on the success of Orca, Climeworks broke ground on its Mammoth plant in June 2022. Mammoth employs the same technology as Orca but on a larger scale, with 72 collector containers capturing carbon compared to Orca’s eight. This allows Mammoth to have an annual capture capacity of 36,000 tons of carbon.
The momentum in commercial-scale DAC is further supported by complementary policies, such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act in the U.S. These legislations provide tax incentives for companies to adopt carbon capture technology, with the Biden administration mandating the installation of carbon capture technology in new and existing plants within hard-to-abate sectors by 2039.
To sustain this momentum, the CarbonBrief report emphasizes the need for further policy clarification and creation to provide structure to the carbon capture sector. This includes establishing universally acknowledged certifications for the volunteer carbon market and increasing federal subsidies.
In 2023, Climeworks secured $1.2 billion from the DOE’s Regional Direct Air Capture Hubs program to establish two DAC facilities in Texas and Louisiana. Construction of the first plant utilizing Generation 3 technology is set to commence in Louisiana in 2026, marking a significant step forward in the fight against climate change.