World’s Largest Direct Air Capture and Storage Plant Opens in Iceland, Developed by Climeworks

The Mammoth direct air capture and storage plant, located in Hellisheiði, Iceland, is a groundbreaking project by Swiss company Climeworks. This plant is the largest operational direct air capture (DAC) plant in the world, with a capacity to capture 36,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually.

Direct air capture technology involves sucking carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it underground, where it can no longer contribute to global heating. With the current global efforts to reduce fossil fuel emissions falling short of meeting climate targets, the need for carbon removal technologies like DAC is becoming increasingly urgent.

Climeworks’ Mammoth plant is a significant step towards scaling up carbon capture capacity to meet the growing demand. The company aims to achieve megaton capacity by 2030 and gigaton capacity by 2050. The Mammoth plant, which is nearly ten times larger than Climeworks’ second-largest plant, Orca, is a testament to the company’s commitment to expanding its carbon capture capabilities.

One of the key features of Climeworks’ DAC process is its use of renewable energy to power the carbon capture process. The company partners with ON Power in Iceland, a geothermal energy provider, to supply the low-temperature heat required for the capture process. Once the carbon dioxide is captured, it is transported underground by storage partner Carbfix, where it reacts with basaltic rock and transforms into stone, permanently storing the carbon dioxide.

While carbon capture technologies like DAC have the potential to play a crucial role in mitigating climate change, they are not without their critics. Some argue that the energy-intensive nature of DAC, along with its high costs, could incentivize companies to continue burning fossil fuels rather than reducing their emissions. Additionally, the effectiveness of carbon capture technologies in achieving significant carbon removal remains a subject of debate among experts.

Despite the challenges and uncertainties surrounding carbon capture technologies, Climeworks is dedicated to lowering the costs of DAC technology to make it more accessible and affordable. The company aims to reduce the cost of carbon capture to $400 to $600 per ton by the end of the decade and $200 to $350 per ton by 2040. Development is also underway for megaton Climeworks hubs in the United States, signaling a growing interest in expanding carbon capture capabilities globally.

In conclusion, the Mammoth direct air capture and storage plant represents a significant milestone in the advancement of carbon capture technologies. As the world grapples with the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change, innovative solutions like DAC are essential for achieving climate goals and creating a more sustainable future.