Carbon dioxide as a resource

Filtering CO2 (carbon dioxide) from the air – and then?

Stakeholders currently want to capture CO₂ (carbon capture) and either “banish” it to where it came from – underground (the process is called carbon capture & storage, CCS for short). Or it can be processed into new products (the process is called carbon capture & utilisation, CCU for short). The carbon capture industry is on the rise worldwide and is being funded with billions of dollars – despite massive doubts. Austria, as a latecomer, also wants to get involved in this new branch of industry.

Based on current projections by the Ministry of Finance, Austria is forecast to need to store 5–10 million tonnes of CO2 a year to reach its goal of climate neutrality by 2040 cost-effectively. However, geological storage of CO2 is currently prohibited in Austria. Efforts are therefore being made to draft a corresponding law to facilitate CO2 storage in the country. In addition, investigations are being carried out to determine whether alternative transport modes and infrastructures in other EU states, especially near the North Sea, offer more favourable conditions for CO2 storage or use.

We – as part of our work in the GAIA group – have access to a novel technology that can convert CO2 into usable electrical energy. In our opinion, that would be better than sinking CO2 into holes in the ground.

Technologically, we are able to use CO2 as a resource for producing energy, and we are not alone in this view. Leading industrialists have shared it for some time. Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries (RIL), spoke as early as 2020 at the FII Institute conference on “Don’t Forget Our Planet” with the striking statement:

[…] Instead of treating CO2 as a liability, we can make it a raw material […]

Mukesh Ambani Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries (RIL)

This approach is much more sustainable and easier and faster to implement. While CCS technology is still in its infancy and fraught with great uncertainty, it would be better to invest in processes for converting CO2 into electrical energy. Here the greenhouse gas is converted with the help of special catalysts without the use of primary energy. In this process, usable electricity can be generated with market-ready technologies.

This technology has not only ecological but also economic advantages: by using CO2 as a raw material, we can become more independent of fossil fuels and open up new business areas at the same time. Power plants or industrial companies, for example, could use their own exhaust gases to reduce the electricity they draw from the grid – an important step towards a sustainable energy industry.

It remains to be seen, however, whether Austria will go down this path with us or continue to rely on CCS. One thing is certain: time is pressing. We need innovative solutions like this now more than ever!

The solution we know of is patented, scalable and based on naturally available resources such as water. The catalyst is also cheaply available on the surface worldwide, free of toxic substances and can easily be reused several times. The technology is also “simple” to implement and can ultimately be rolled out at various scales – from small units for private households to large plants on industrial sites.

CO2 > H2 > electricity + heat

It is now up to us to seize this opportunity and make our contribution to climate protection. CO2 conversion technology offers a promising way to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions while providing clean energy.

We describe a conversion process in the middle of which hydrogen is produced, which is available as a resource for generating electricity or for other required processes. This process is not only environmentally friendly but also economically sensible.

Our technology could trigger a “revolution” in the field of baseload-capable renewable energy and contribute significantly to preserving our planet for future generations.

We are convinced that our solution is an important step on the way to a sustainable future. But we cannot do it alone – what is needed now is the commitment of multipliers, politicians and courageous companies. Together we can drive change and ensure that innovative technologies are used successfully for the benefit of us all.

We would also like to point out: CO2 is an important component of many natural processes and not a gas that should be “banished”. Be part of our movement! Support our work – for us today and for future generations.

Idea for this article (German)