Inaugurated in Iceland, the world's largest direct air capture facility, a green revolution supported by geothermal energy for a cleaner future

by Marco Arezio

Iceland has made a significant leap forward in environmental technology with the inauguration of "Mammoth," the largest direct air capture facility in the world. This technological giant not only represents a significant evolution from its predecessors but also sets a new standard in the fight against the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

History and Development of the Mammoth Facility

The facility, developed by the Swiss company Climeworks, follows the success of their first project, Orca, launched in 2021 and known for being the first of its kind. With Mammoth, Climeworks has scaled up and increased capacity, creating a facility ten times larger than its predecessor.

CO2 Capture Technology Capacity

Mammoth has a designed capacity to absorb up to 36,000 tons of CO2 per year, a significant leap from Orca's capabilities.

According to reports from Ohga, this allows Iceland to absorb "tens of thousands of tons of CO2 per year," a significant improvement over the "thousands of tons" previously. However, Climeworks itself has indicated that the actual net amount of CO2 removed will be less than the theoretical maximum, due to various operational and environmental factors.

Technology and Process

The direct air capture technology used by Mammoth works by taking air from the environment and filtering carbon through chemical agents.

The preferred option is geological confinement, in which the carbon is converted into stone and permanently stored, a process carried out in collaboration with the Icelandic company Carbfix.

Energy and Sustainability of the Facility

Mammoth's operation is powered by geothermal energy, a sustainable choice that leverages Iceland's rich natural resource. The clean and abundant geothermal energy in the country helps to minimize the ecological footprint of the facility, ensuring that the carbon capture process is as green as possible.

Impact and Prospects

The impact of Mammoth in the global context of CO2 emission reduction is significant. With its high capture capacity, the facility represents a step forward in the technology for reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide and provides a concrete demonstration of how direct capture technology can be implemented on a large scale.

Conclusion

Mammoth is not only a technological triumph but also a symbol of hope in the fight against climate change. With further research, development, and international support, facilities like Mammoth could become a fundamental component of global strategies for a sustainable and low-carbon future.

photo by Il Sole 24 Ore