ImpactAlpha, February 7 — Direct air capture technology that can remove billions of tons of carbon from the atmosphere may be critical in keeping global warming below 2°C. Current carbon capture solutions, however, are expensive and energy intensive.
Woburn, Mass.-based Verdox’s method, developed by a group of MIT professors, uses a large superbattery that, as it charges, absorbs carbon from the air, or a stream of waste gas, and releases the gas as the battery discharges. The company says the process is cheaper and more efficient than other direct air capture methods.
“Verdox’s technology has the potential to capture carbon from any industrial source or the air — and at up to 70% relative energy savings,” said Verdox’s Brian Baynes.
Direct air capture
Other companies pursuing direct air capture of carbon include Vancouver-based Carbon Engineering and Zurich-based Climeworks.
“The high energy efficiency and scalability of Verdox’s technology could enable the company to play a major role in addressing the carbon removal challenge,” said Carmichael Roberts of Breakthrough Energy Ventures, which made the investment with Lowercarbon Capital and Prelude Ventures.
