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Next Unicorns: The Path to Reaching Net Zero with Avnos CEO Will Kain | E1810

This Week in Startups

Fri Sep 15 2023



Next Unicorns: The Path to Reaching Net Zero with Avnos CEO Will Kain:

  • Importance of carbon capture technology
  • Elon Musk's perspective on the importance of taking care of the planet
  • Risk of not addressing climate change and the potential consequences

Carbon dioxide (CO2) and its relationship to climate change:

  • CO2 as a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere
  • Increase in CO2 levels since the industrial age and its impact on global warming

Direct air capture (DAC) technology developments and cost:

  • Different technologies under carbon capture, including DAC
  • Avnos' hybrid direct air capture (HDAC) approach for capturing both water and CO2 from the atmosphere
  • Comparison of water consumption between different DAC methods

Environmental conditions for DAC deployment:

  • Consideration of humidity levels for optimal performance of DAC systems

The path to reaching net zero emissions:

  • Transitioning to renewable power sources as a major step towards reducing emissions
  • Role of carbon removal technologies, such as DAC, in addressing hard-to-abate emissions

Monetization strategies for CO2 removal:

  • Explanation of the Section 45Q tax credit legislation for carbon capture projects
  • Potential economic opportunities for companies involved in CO2 removal

Challenges and goals for Avnos:

  • Cost reduction efforts to achieve less than $100 per ton of CO2 captured
  • Collaboration with industrial partners like Shell, ConocoPhillips, and JetBlue Ventures

Energy and Water:

  • Consideration of using the water coming out of the system to power energy through a dam
  • Math on hydropower shows that it requires a significant amount of water production and vertical drop for sufficient velocity
  • Potential idea but may not be practical due to cost and feasibility

Avnos HDAC Machines and Water Monetization:

  • Placing Avnos HDAC machines on the Green River in Wyoming, which has excellent subsurface storage capacity
  • Storing CO2 subsurface and permanently sequestering it while putting the water in the Green River
  • Monetizing the water opens up new geographic operating opportunities where water is high value
  • Producing water instead of consuming it allows for expansion into areas with high-value water resources

Renewable Power Integration:

  • Additionality concept in direct air capture (DAC) technology requires powering systems with additional renewables
  • Building new renewables specifically for DAC plants to qualify as CO2 removal credits in California's LCFS market
  • Overbuilding solar capacity can use the grid as a battery overnight, eliminating potential emissions from the system

Mastering Natural Systems:

  • Mastering natural systems is challenging due to feedback loops and unintended consequences
  • Despite challenges, technological advancements such as wind and solar power generation offer hope for climate solutions
  • Progress in geothermal, nuclear, carbon capture, and decarbonization technologies contribute to mastering natural systems

AI Impact on Carbon Capture:

  • AI has an early impact on advancing adsorbent technology used in carbon capture processes
  • AI, machine learning, deep learning, quantum computing hold promise for developing higher-performing adsorbent technology at a faster pace

Closing Thoughts:

  • Recognizing the importance of addressing climate change for future generations' well-being
  • Acknowledging that taking care of Earth is essential because we only have one planet