PodcastsThis Week in StartupsNext Unicorns: The Path to Reaching Net Zero with Avnos CEO Will Kain | E1810
Next Unicorns: The Path to Reaching Net Zero with Avnos CEO Will Kain | E1810
This Week in StartupsFri 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