What is direct air capture?
Direct Air Capture (DAC) is a technology that removes carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere.
Using high-powered fans, air is drawn into a processing facility where the CO2 is separated through a series of chemical reactions. Then the CO2 is either permanently stored in underground reservoirs through secure geologic sequestration, or is used to make new products such as building materials and low-carbon fuels.
Ramping up DAC
Today there are a total of 18 DAC facilities in operation from a number of different companies around the world. All told, they capture just 0.01 million tonnes of CO2 per year.¹
In 2022, 1PointFive began construction on what is expected to be the largest DAC facility in the world, our flagship facility, STRATOS. Once fully operational, our first facility is designed to capture 500,000 tonnes of CO2 per year and expected to begin commercial operations in mid-2025.
Current operating
facilities
0.01
Million
Tonnes CO2
First 1PointFive
Facility
500
Thousand
Tonnes CO2
Why it's important
According to the sixth Assessment Report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), “In addition to deep, rapid, and sustained emission reductions, carbon dioxide removal (CDR) can fulfill three different complementary roles globally or at country level: lowering net CO2 or net GHG emissions in the near term; counterbalancing ‘hard-to-abate’ residual emissions (e.g., emissions from agriculture, aviation, shipping, industrial processes) in order to help reach net zero CO2 or net zero GHG emissions in the mid-term; and achieving net negative CO2 or GHG emissions in the long term if deployed at levels exceeding annual residual emissions.”2
Net global CO2 emissions
Fig. SPM.5 IPCC 6th Assessment Report, Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change
How DAC Works
1PointFive is developing Carbon Engineering’s Direct Air Capture technology. This technology works by drawing air into a facility using a series of large fans. The air comes in contact with a chemical solution that binds to the CO2 molecules. The CO2-rich solution is then processed through a series of reactions that separate, purify and compress the CO2. The resulting CO2 can then be permanently stored or used as a feedstock for other products.
For a detailed explanation of the DAC process, watch the video below.
Design one.
1PointFive is working with global EPC Worley on the design and construction of our first facility, STRATOS, using proven processes and equipment.
We’re designing these facilities to leverage modularity in the air contactor systems while taking advantage of economies of scale in a centralized processing facility where the captured CO2 can be aggregated and processed in large volumes.
DAC facilities require electricity to operate the air contactors and processing equipment. All 1PointFive facilities will be powered by zero-emission energy sources, such as wind, solar or NET Power.
Each tonne of CO2 removed from the atmosphere by 1PointFive will be quantified by net lifecycle emissions analysis (LCA) and verified by a third party in compliance with recognized methodologies.
Build many.
As 1PointFive continues its development, we plan to focus on regions that meet the following criteria:
- Have public policy and incentives that support CO₂ removals in place today or are expected to during this development timeframe
- Show growing demand for carbon removal credits or low-carbon fuels
- Possess scalable business attributes such as geologic storage, synthetic fuel production inputs and zero-emission electricity production
- Have sustainable development goals
Growing Corporate Support
Voluntary support for DAC is increasing in the corporate sector. More and more companies across a wide range of industries are committing to net-zero emissions and seeking solutions to achieve their targets. Industry leaders including Airbus, SK, Shopify, and ThermoFisher have shown early support for 1PointFive DAC.
DAC Economics
The Goldman Sachs Carbonomics 2020 Emission Abatement cost curve includes five gigatons of non-abatable emissions, which DAC can address. Additionally, DAC can provide a lower-cost abatement solution in the near-term for hard-to-decarbonize transportation industries, where the average cost of abatement via alternative fuels exceeds $600/tonne.
1PointFive DAC carbon removal can provide a competitively priced solution for these hard-to-abate sectors.
The Goldman Sachs Carbonomics 2020 emission abatement cost curve
Partners
Carbon Engineering (CE) is a DAC technology company, which is now wholly owned by 1PointFive's parent company. CE is focused on developing and innovating large-scale DAC technology that captures CO2 out of the atmosphere so it can be permanently stored deep underground or used to produce fuels. 1PointFive is deploying Carbon Engineering's DAC technology in its facilities. Learn more about how CE continues to innovate at carbonengineering.com.
Worley is a global company headquartered in Australia whose purpose is to deliver a more sustainable world. Worley is a leading global provider of professional project and asset services in the energy, chemicals and resources sectors. As a knowledge-based service provider, Worley helps its customers reduce their emissions and move toward a low carbon future. Visit worley.com for more information.
“Partnering with 1PointFive on this project aligns perfectly with our desire to deliver a more sustainable world,” noted Worley CEO Chris Ashton. “And their vision of a circular economy that includes direct air capture has the power to drive future sustainability at the intersection of economics, energy and the environment. Climate change is a big challenge to take on. But we’ll have some of the brightest minds in the world on this historic project.”
Sources
¹ IEA (2021), Direct Air Capture, IEA, Paris https://www.iea.org/reports/direct-air-capture
Fig. SPM.5 IPCC 6th Assessment Report, Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change, Summary For Policymakers, pg 30
² IPCC 6th Assessment Report, Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change, Summary For Policymakers, pg 40, c11.4