From innovative DAC units to strategic partnerships with industry leaders like Shell, companies like Skytree and Sensorlink are revolutionizing the landscape of carbon reduction. Today we cover this and more in our 77th issue of The Carbon Corner! Enjoy!
Alto Ingredients and Vault 44.01 Forge Ahead with CCS Project for Ethanol Production Campus
Alto Ingredients, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALTO) has announced plans for a groundbreaking carbon capture and storage (CCS) project in partnership with Vault 44.01 (Vault) at Alto’s Pekin campus in Pekin, IL. This initiative aims to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from ethanol production processes at the campus and securely store them underground in a nearby geologic reservoir.
With a focus on reducing CO2 emissions and benefiting local communities, Alto and Vault are actively engaging with stakeholders and landowners. The Pekin campus, a significant producer of specialty alcohols and renewable fuel, generates over 600,000 metric tons of CO2 annually, making the project a crucial step in mitigating environmental impact while supporting economic growth in the area.
CarbonCapture Raises $80 Million to Scale Direct Air Capture Technology for Climate Solutions
CarbonCapture, a California-based climate tech company, has secured $80 million in funding to advance its Direct Air Capture (DAC) carbon removal systems. DAC technology, recognized by the IEA as crucial for achieving net-zero goals, directly extracts CO2 from the atmosphere, either for use as a raw material or for permanent removal when stored.
The company, founded in 2019, utilizes modular DAC machines employing solid sorbents for efficient CO2 absorption, allowing for future upgrades and cost reductions without the need for new facilities. CarbonCapture is currently developing "Project Bison" in Wyoming with Frontier Carbon Solutions, aiming to reach a 5 million tons annual capture and storage capacity by 2030. With $26 million in signed carbon removal credits and new strategic investors like Amazon's Climate Pledge Fund and Aramco Ventures, CarbonCapture is poised to scale its DAC technology and make significant strides in atmospheric decarbonization.
Spirit Energy Hits Milestone in Morecambe Net Zero Project: Advancing Towards Carbon Neutrality
Global energy giants Exxon Mobil and Shell have announced their collaboration with Singapore to spearhead a groundbreaking cross-border carbon capture and storage initiative. Through the establishment of the S-Hub consortium, comprising ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. and Shell Singapore Pte. Ltd., the companies will lead efforts to develop the CCS project in partnership with the Singapore government.
The project aims to significantly reduce the country's carbon dioxide emissions by capturing and permanently storing at least 2.5 million tons of CO2 annually by 2030. This ambitious endeavor involves storing CO2 emissions deep underground or beneath the seabed, with meticulous site selection to ensure optimal suitability and effectiveness. The memorandum of understanding signed between S-Hub and the Singapore Economic Development Board in December 2023 marks a pivotal step towards realizing this transformative initiative.
Skytree Unveils Stratus: Decentralised DAC for Enhanced Carbon Capture
Netherlands-based Skytree unveils its latest decentralised direct air capture unit, the Skytree Stratus, designed to capture larger volumes of carbon dioxide for various applications, including supporting large greenhouses and vertical farms. CEO Rob van Straten highlights Stratus as a reliable solution for businesses seeking to enhance crop yield while securing a continuous supply of CO2 and reducing their carbon footprint. Through partnerships, Skytree offers local liquefaction of CO2 to enable clients to capture and store the gas during peak production periods.
The company emphasizes decentralized DAC as a way to fast track onsite carbon capture, aligning with the Dutch government's commitment to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050. Skytree's approach contrasts with the US, where DAC deployment focuses on selling carbon credits and supporting the oil industry, while in Europe, it's viewed as a new source for utilisation, particularly in advanced Dutch greenhouses.
Sensorlink and Shell Partner to Equip Ships with Advanced Corrosion Detection Technology
Sensorlink has struck a deal with Shell to provide Swarm UT sensors for installation in CO₂ tanks on three ships currently under construction. These sensors, strategically placed in low spots where water accumulation is likely, will detect and monitor corrosion, sending real-time, high-accuracy wall thickness data to the ships’ control rooms for early detection. Kjell Wold, Business Development Director at Sensorlink, emphasizes the importance of such technology in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, particularly in the transportation of CO₂ where water presence can lead to significant corrosion.
The initiative is part of the Northern Lights project, owned by Equinor, Shell, and TotalEnergies, aiming to establish a full-scale carbon capture and storage value chain. Phase 1, capable of injecting up to 1.5 million tons of CO2 annually, is set to begin operations in 2024, with the construction of specialized LNG-powered CO2 transportation ships underway. The project, representing the first industrial CCS initiative to create a flexible infrastructure for CO2 storage, is a key component of the broader Longship CCS project for the transportation, receipt, and storage of CO2 in the northern North Sea.
Schaper Energy Consulting is a professional engineering firm offering carbon strategy services to CCS site developers. Check out some examples of our projects here: https://schaperintl.com/carbon-strategies/
If you have questions or comments, please contact us at info@schaperintl.com.
We hope you enjoyed reading this week and hope to see you back next week for more!