A CO2 capture technology that uses membrane gas absorption and electrolysis regeneration to separate CO₂ from the air has secured £3m funding from BEIS, as part of its Greenhouse Gas Removals (GGR) Innovation Competition.
Developed by CO₂CirculAir B.V, the SMART-DAC technology is powered by renewable energy and provides continuous CO2 capture, which can be reused as a carbon source for sustainable chemicals and synthetic fuels to replace fossil fuels, or stored to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere permanently.
The technology is supported by five UK consortium partners, including the Net Zero Technology Centre, Process Design Centre, Herriot Watt University, Optimus Plus, and B9 Energy Storage, helping to accelerate the development of the UK’s carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS) sector.
The funding itself will be used to support the construction of a pilot plant in Larne, Northern Ireland, where testing will begin in spring 2023, capturing over 100 tonnes of CO2 per year.
Iain Martin, Project Manager at the Net Zero Technology Centre, said:
“Meeting the UK’s net zero targets by 2050 represents a significant challenge. The widespread adoption of CCUS technologies, which can remove current and historical emissions from the atmosphere, will have a significant role in achieving our emissions goals. Successful demonstration, with industry support, of the novel technology at the pilot scale is an essential first step on the road to scaling up and commercialisation”.
Jeffrey Felix, CEO at the CO₂CirculAir, said:
“We are thrilled to be given the opportunity to further develop our SMART-DAC technology in the UK. Extracting CO₂ from the air and using it as a future carbon source, replacing the use of fossil fuels, creates a short energy cycle essential to achieving net zero. The reaction from the younger generation when we explain our technology is exhilarating. This generation will indeed benefit most from our efforts to tackle climate change. A big thank you to BEIS, our consortium members and all individual supporters of our technology.”
For more information on CO₂CirculAir and the CO2 capture technology itself please visit the company’s website.
