Summary:
Google invests $10 million in Knoxville's Holocene for carbon capture technology.
Aim to remove 100,000 tons of CO2 by the 2030s.
Holocene's process captures about 80% of CO2 from the air.
Expansion expected to create hundreds of jobs in Knoxville.
Targeting 1,500 times larger operations with a $100 per ton CO2 removal cost.
Google Partners with Holocene for Carbon Capture
In a groundbreaking deal, Google has partnered with Knoxville-based startup Holocene, committing $10 million towards innovative carbon capture technology aimed at removing 100,000 tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by the 2030s. This partnership aims to significantly scale Holocene's operations, expanding them by 1,500 times in the coming years.
The Technology Behind Holocene
Holocene's unique approach to direct air capture (DAC) utilizes a license from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. According to Holocene's CTO, Tobias RĂĽesch, the funding will facilitate the scaling of their technology to meet ambitious climate goals. Holocene currently captures about 80% of CO2 from the air, and their process involves vacuuming air into a large metal container.
“We see the potential,” Rüesch stated, emphasizing the importance of scaling up their operations.
Job Creation and Future Plans
The expansion is expected to create hundreds of jobs in Knoxville. Holocene is advancing its technology through further research into amino acid chemistry, aiming to enhance its CO2 capture efficiency.
“We’ve thrown ten times more waste into the sky in CO2 than we’ve ever put into the landfill,” Ross explained, underlining the scale of the problem they aim to tackle.
The Vision for the Future
Holocene plans to establish more than 5,000 DAC facilities to achieve its long-term climate objectives. The next phase of their plant development will be 1,500 times larger than their current pilot project, targeting a cost-effective capture rate of $100 per ton of CO2 removed.
“We call that net negativity... That turns into a net negativity of about 85%,” Ross added, highlighting the sustainability of their operations by utilizing clean energy sources like nuclear, solar, and hydropower.
Conclusion
Holocene co-founders are optimistic about growing both the team and technology in Knoxville, aiming to play a significant role in the fight against climate change.
For more details on their innovative approach, check out their technical process.
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