Catalyst with Shayle Kann
DAC’s bumpy road to commercial scale
Oct 3, 2024
In this engaging discussion, Andreas Aepli, CFO of Climeworks and a pivotal leader in direct air capture (DAC), shares insights from the forefront of the climate tech revolution. He reveals the real hurdles Climeworks faces, like dealing with extreme weather and securing CO2 purity. Andreas argues for transparent practices to gain public trust and explores the necessity of a measured scale-up in DAC deployment. He also dives into pricing strategies and the complexities of financing a carbon removal plant, foreseeing increased supply constraints in the coming years.
42:54
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Quick takeaways
- The direct-air capture industry faces substantial operational challenges that demand transparency to maintain investor and public trust as projects scale.
- Securing diversified funding is crucial for the growth of DAC technologies, allowing for larger projects and managing operational risks effectively.
Deep dives
Challenges in Scaling Direct Air Capture Technologies
Scaling direct air capture (DAC) technologies presents significant challenges that become apparent after initial deployment. While the first phase of development often feels optimistic, the reality of financing, operating, and maintaining these technologies reveals countless complexities. For instance, Climeworks' Orca plant, designed to capture 4,000 tons of CO2 annually, has only operated at approximately 2,500 to 3,000 tons per year after two and a half years of operation. These operational difficulties underscore the importance of transparency in the industry to manage expectations and maintain investor and public trust.
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