World’s largest direct air capture plant switched on

Climeworks has recently unveiled Mammoth, a groundbreaking endeavor that stands as the world’s largest direct air capture and storage plant, situated in Iceland.

This milestone marks the company’s second foray into commercial operations within the country, surpassing the scale of their previous facility, Orca.

With its ambitious design, Mammoth is poised to set new standards in carbon capture technology.

Presently, the facility boasts twelve collector containers, with plans for a total of 72 upon completion in 2024.

Once fully operational, Mammoth is projected to capture an impressive 36,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, contributing significantly to global efforts to combat climate change.

Central to the operation of Mammoth is its reliance on renewable energy sources, particularly geothermal energy sourced from ON Power in Iceland.

This sustainable energy input not only powers the facility’s operations but also underscores Climeworks’ commitment to minimizing its environmental footprint.

The captured carbon dioxide undergoes a transformative journey, facilitated by Carbfix, the storage partner.

Following extraction from the air, the carbon dioxide is transported underground, where it engages in a natural process with basaltic rock.

Through this geological interaction, the carbon dioxide undergoes mineralization, effectively transforming into stone and permanently sequestering it from the atmosphere.

The launch of Mammoth represents a significant stride forward in the quest for scalable and sustainable carbon capture solutions.

By harnessing innovative technologies and leveraging renewable energy sources, Climeworks is spearheading a paradigm shift in the fight against climate change.

Mammoth’s pioneering approach not only demonstrates the feasibility of large-scale carbon capture and storage but also offers a promising blueprint for fostering a more resilient and environmentally conscious future.