The Green Blueprint Building the world’s biggest DAC facility
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Jan 8, 2025 Doug Chan, Chief Operating Officer at Climeworks, discusses the monumental launch of the Mammoth, the world's largest direct air capture facility in Iceland. He dives into the challenges faced during its construction and the innovative solutions developed amidst harsh winter conditions. Chan shares insights on scaling technology, managing risks, and the crucial role of teamwork. The conversation highlights the rapid advancements in direct air capture and the strategic planning needed for future projects, including plans for an even larger facility in Louisiana.
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Christmas Eve Launch
- On Christmas Eve 2023, Doug Chan and his team were in Iceland, commissioning the Mammoth DAC plant.
- Despite the holiday, the team was energized to launch the world's largest DAC facility.
DAC Growth Drivers
- The growth in direct air capture (DAC) solutions is driven by climate science, particularly from the IPCC.
- The IPCC emphasizes the need for net-negative or carbon-negative solutions in carbon management portfolios.
Capricorn Plant
- Climeworks' first commercial DAC plant, Capricorn, was built in Switzerland in 2017 using 18 containerized DAC-1 units.
- The captured CO2 was sold to a greenhouse and Coca-Cola, demonstrating early commercial viability.