Climeworks launches world's largest DAC+S plant “Mammoth” in Iceland

Tags: International News

On May 8th, 2024, Climeworks AG, a Swiss startup, inaugurated Mammoth, the largest operational Direct Air Capture and Storage (DAC + S) facility globally, located in Iceland. 

An Overview of the News

• Mammoth's purpose is to extract carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and sequester it underground in rock formations.

• Mammoth can capture up to 36,000 tons of CO2 annually, representing a substantial advancement in carbon capture technology.

Regarding Mammoth:

Scale and Progress

• The second DAC + S facility by Climeworks, Mammoth, is ten times larger than its predecessor, Orca, established in Iceland in 2021.

• Mammoth's modular design allows for scalable growth and is set to be completed by the end of 2024.

Infrastructure

• Comprising a total of 72 collector containers, with 12 already operational on-site, indicating its phased deployment strategy.

Cost Reduction Projections

• Mammoth aims to drive down the cost of CO2 removal significantly:

• Projections target USD 400 to 600 per ton by 2030.
• A further reduction to USD 200 to 350 per ton is anticipated by 2040.

Renewable Energy Integration

• Mammoth harnesses geothermal energy as its primary renewable energy source, facilitating the low-temperature heat required for the air capture process.

Carbon Transformation Process

• Captured CO2 is transported underground, where it undergoes a natural process of reacting with basaltic rocks, ultimately transforming into stone.

Important Points:

• Co-Chief Executive Officers of Climeworks AG: Jan Wurzbacher and Christoph Gebald.

• Headquarters: Zurich, Switzerland.

• Iceland's capital: Reykjavik.

• Prime Minister of Iceland: Bjarni Benediktsson.