Direct air capture (DAC) technology, a method of drawing carbon dioxide (CO2) out of the atmosphere — has evolved from being prohibitively expensive to somewhat expensive. While major companies like Microsoft, which has pledged to eliminate its emissions by 2030, are willing to absorb the high costs of DAC, smaller companies are still hesitant due to the hefty price tag. But RepAir Carbon, an innovative startup, may have a solution that could significantly lower the cost of carbon capture.
RepAir’s technology promises to reduce the cost of removing CO2 from the atmosphere to as low as $70 to $80 per metric ton — a dramatic drop compared to the estimated $600 per metric ton cost of other current carbon capture approaches.
RepAir Innovative Technology and New Funding
RepAir recently raised a $15 million extension to its Series A funding round. The round was led by Extantia Capital and Taranis Carbon Ventures, with additional participation from Ormat Technologies and Repsol. The Israeli Innovation Authority also contributed a $3 million grant to support the project.
The potential for a major reduction in costs comes from RepAir’s unique approach to carbon capture. Unlike most other companies that use a solvent-based system to remove CO2 (which must be heated to release the gas for storage and transport), RepAir leverages electricity to drive the chemical reaction. This innovative method could significantly lower the operational expenses of DAC.
RepAir’s technology is based on a process similar to how fuel cells and batteries operate. Co-founder and CEO Amir Shiner explained that the device works by using electricity to power the carbon capture reaction. Inside the reaction chamber, two electrodes are separated by a membrane. As air or exhaust gas flows into the chamber, it encounters a nickel-based electrode with an electric current running through it.
At this point, hydroxide ions are present to attract CO2, converting it into carbonate and bicarbonate ions, which carry negative electrical charges. These ions then pass through the porous electrode and separator, moving toward the positive charge of the other electrode. Once they reach the positive electrode, the ions revert back to CO2 and hydroxide.
The CO2 is then drawn off for storage, while the hydroxide accumulates, eventually triggering a reversal of the process, allowing the reaction to repeat.
This reversible mechanism is one of the key advantages of RepAir’s technology. Most other carbon capture devices require downtime for regeneration — a process where the solvent is heated to release the CO2. This downtime leads to the need for more capture modules to compensate for lost time, ultimately raising costs. RepAir, however, can regenerate while it continues capturing carbon, improving efficiency and reducing the overall cost.
Versatility and Future Potential
RepAir’s technology is versatile, capable of capturing CO2 from both the atmosphere and from exhaust streams produced by power plants and industrial facilities. The company is in talks with developers to integrate its technology into gas turbines, with a particular focus on eliminating carbon emissions from data centers.
Shiner highlighted the growing interest in using RepAir’s technology in the data center sector, noting that while it’s still early in the process, the company is optimistic about the future potential. Data centers, which are heavy consumers of energy, are under increasing pressure to reduce their carbon footprint. If RepAir’s system can be successfully incorporated into data center operations, it could help mitigate the environmental impact of this critical industry.
RepAir’s approach represents a significant leap forward in carbon capture technology. By using electricity to power the chemical reaction, the company is able to create a more efficient, cost-effective process that could be scaled to remove CO2 from a variety of sources, including the air and industrial emissions.
With the backing of investors and strong interest from sectors like data centers, RepAir is well-positioned to play a pivotal role in the global effort to combat climate change. As the technology matures and additional funding is secured, the company could help reduce the cost of DAC to levels that make it viable for smaller companies and industries with less financial flexibility.
