The US Department of Energy (DOE) has unveiled a US$52.5 million initiative to accelerate the development and commercialisation of direct air capture (DAC) technologies. Made available through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the funding looks to advance carbon dioxide capture technologies that reduce legacy CO2 pollution by removing it directly from the atmosphere to counter-balance emissions from hard-to-abate sectors – such as aviation and shipping. The scheme will provide up to US$52.5 million to participants who successfully reach design, development, and deployment milestones over the course of four phases: concept, engineer, permit, and operate. Winning teams will be eligible to win up to US$12 million each for passing those phases, and ultimately operate a pilot direct air capture system for at least 2,000 hours. Competitors should also demonstrate their potential to contribute to, or participate in, the US’ Regional Direct Air Capture Hubs programme. This prize aims to advance the industry, create well-paid jobs, heighten private investment, and help deliver the benefits of climate investments to the communities hosting clean energy projects. “Achieving our ambitious climate goals requires the rapid scale-up of carbon dioxide removal technologies,” said Brad Crabtree, Assistant Secretary of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management. “The commercial direct air capture pilot prize [is] the latest in a suite of programmes that provide groundbreaking support to help de-risk and demonstrate commercial viability of DAC technology with the ultimate goal of industry deployment.”
🆕 #JustAnnounced 📢
⭐ ⭐ @ENERGY Announces $52M to Catalyze Commercial Carbon Dioxide Removal Technology ⭐ ⭐
✅ Commercial Direct Air Capture Pilot Prize Now Accepting Applications ➡️ https://t.co/kiRJgnnP7X pic.twitter.com/CgnovGcOb5
— DOE Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (@FECMgov) August 9, 2024
