The future of climate action is here: Direct air capture
A robust solution for carbon removal, Direct Air Capture (DAC) is a crucial technology that can help reverse the clock on legacy emissions and propel us to a net-zero future.
What is DAC
Working towards net-zero with DAC technology
Think of DAC as a giant vacuum that sucks CO2 directly from the atmosphere. Not only can DAC reduce the impact of ongoing emission-producing human activities—including hard-to-abate sectors—it can potentially turn back the climate change clock by removing historic emissions already in our atmosphere.
Significant government grants and private investments have been dedicated to research and development efforts to move DAC from a nascent technology to a scalable solution that helps neutralize carbon emissions from some of the most hard-to-abate sectors.
Carbon removal
Can remove legacy CO2, contributing towards a net zero future
Carbon recycling
Can capture carbon for production of alternative fuels
Climate resilience
Can enable measurable & sustained carbon removal from the atmosphere
Flexible siting
Atmospheric turnover allows DAC deployment in diverse locations
"The Net Zero Scenario requires the immediate and accelerated scale-up of DAC, calling for an average of 32 large-scale plants (1 MtCO2/year each) to be built each year between now and 2050."
International Energy Agency’s DAC report, 2022
A closer look
How it works
DAC is a promising method of carbon removal that can capture CO2 directly from the atmosphere, creating an opportunity for major carbon reduction. There are several DAC methods including electrochemical cells, solvent-based chemical processes, and solid sorbent-based chemical processes.
GE Vernova sees sorbent-based chemical processes, which can be categorized as low temperature and/or vacuum swing, high temperature swing, or moisture swing, as one of the more promising forms of DAC. The process is described in more detail below.
Adsorption
When air passes through the DAC capture unit, the sorbent material captures CO2 molecules while allowing other gases to pass through.
Desorption
Desorbing removes CO2 from the sorbent material through temperature, pressure, and concentration swings. The system cyclically operates between adsorption and desorption to continuously remove CO2 from the air.
Transport
Once the CO2 has been desorbed from the sorbent material, it can be compressed and transported for storage.
Cooling
Finally, cold water is piped into the DAC capture unit to cool the sorbent material back to its initial temperature so it can be reused in the next cycle.
DAC value chain
The carbon journey
See below how carbon is captured, processed, and leveraged.
Expected benefits
Strengths of solid sorbent-based systems
The solid sorbent low-temperature/vacuum swing technique is a less energy-intensive approach that relies on CO2 attractant material. When air flows over it, CO2 is attracted to the sorbent and captured, leaving minimal CO2 in the air.
Improved water management
Lowered water usage with the potential for water recovery
Flexibility in scalability
Can be scaled easily for widespread deployment
Ease of handling
Often simpler to configure and requires less infrastructure
Lower energy requirements
Utilizes more efficient adsorbent materials and regeneration processes
A legacy of innovation
Experience matters: 14+ programs demonstrating DAC capabilities
When it comes to developing breakthrough technology, we’ve been working to develop our DAC technology with several organizations, including several U.S. government departments and agencies.
View the five programs we've selected to highlight in the chart on the right.
Partnering for success
Why choose GE Vernova?
We are among the few companies with all required competencies for scaling DAC under one roof. Our highly experienced research team positions us well to develop effective sorbent materials. Furthermore, our decades of experience with power plants and accessories enables us to provide a state-of-the art system design.
We have what it takes to make DAC a reality in the very near future.
FAQs
Have questions on DAC?
How are CCS and DAC different?
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) typically refers to capturing CO2 from point sources (i.e. at the point where CO2 is emitted), whereas Direct Air Capture (DAC) can capture CO2 from ambient air.
DAC is a type of CCS technology, in that it’s a branch of applied science aimed at reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. Captured CO2 from DAC or CCS can be stored in geological formations such as depleted oil and gas reservoirs, deep saline formations, or through mineralization processes.
DAC (Direct Air Capture):
- Captures carbon directly from ambient air, with flexibility in facility location
- Uniquely suitable for capturing CO2 in hard-to-abate sectors, as well as legacy and future emissions
CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage):
- Describes a range of technologies that capture CO2 emissions, typically from point sources like power plants, cement factories, and other industries
- Involves transporting captured CO2 to secure underground storage sites
Why does GE Vernova care about DAC?
As an industry leader who helps generate 30% of the world’s electricity, GE Vernova recognizes our responsibility to not only deliver more sustainable, reliable, and affordable power, but also spearhead global decarbonization initiatives. We’re committed to both environmental stewardship and a more sustainable future.
What government grants and funding are available to help pay for DAC?
United States
The US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) offers large incentives for direct air capture, including $3.5 billion for regional DAC hub research, development, and demonstration. Additionally, the IRA offers tax credit of $180/tCO2 captured via DAC for storage, with a capture threshold of 1,000 tCO2/year. Further proposed legislation in the US aims to create government procurement programs for the purchase of proven CO2 removal technologies.
European Union:
Horizon Europe offers funding for research and innovation projects across various sectors, including cleaner energy and climate change mitigation. DAC projects may be eligible for funding under relevant Horizon Europe programs, such as the European Green Deal Call.
The EU’s Innovation Fund supports the demonstration of innovative lower carbon technologies, including carbon capture and utilization (CCU) projects. DAC initiatives could potentially receive funding through this mechanism.
Australia:
The Low Emissions Technology Development Fund supports the development and deployment of lower emissions technologies, including carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects. DAC initiatives may be eligible for funding under this program's CCS Stream.
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) offers funding for renewable energy and lower emissions projects, including innovative technologies that contribute to emissions reduction and climate change mitigation.
How can carbon captured during DAC be repurposed if not stored?
- Fuel Synthesis: Conversion into synthetic fuels like methane or methanol
- Chemical Production: Use in feedstock for producing chemicals, plastics, and fertilizers
- Mineralization: Chemical reaction to create stable carbonate minerals for construction materials, like concrete.
- Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR): Injection into oil reservoirs to enhance oil recovery
- Agriculture: Utilization for greenhouse enrichment, carbon fertilization, or algae cultivation
Why is GE Vernova well-positioned to help decarbonize at scale?
Not only do we have the experience, but our current projects collaborating with US government organizations demonstrates that we’re forging the path ahead in this space. With a passion for innovation and a diverse portfolio of leading technologies, we can help reduce the carbon-intensity of the world’s power systems by reducing the CO2 per kWh produced.
Contact us
Want to know more about GE Vernova’s DAC activities?
