The Potential Role of Direct Air Capture in the German Energy Research Program—Results of a Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Abstract

A significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions will be necessary in the coming decades to enable the global community to avoid the most dangerous consequences of man-made global warming. This fact is reflected in Germany’s 7th Federal Energy Research Program (EFP), which was adopted in 2018. Direct Air Capture (DAC) technologies used to absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere comprise one way to achieve these reductions in greenhouse gases. DAC has been identified as a technology (group) for which there are still major technology gaps. The intention of this article is to explore the potential role of DAC for the EFP by using a multi-dimensional analysis showing the technology’s possible contributions to the German government’s energy and climate policy goals and to German industry’s global reputation in the field of modern energy technologies, as well as the possibilities of integrating DAC into the existing energy system. The results show that the future role of DAC is affected by a variety of uncertainty factors. The technology is still in an early stage of development and has yet to prove its large-scale technical feasibility, as well as its economic viability. The results of the multi-dimensional evaluation, as well as the need for further technological development, integrated assessment, and systems-level analyses, justify the inclusion of DAC technology in national energy research programs like the EFP.

Life Cycle Assessment of Direct Air Carbon Capture and Storage with Low-Carbon Energy Sources

“…29,30 Finally, we are interested in the total amount of land transformed associated with different DACCS configurations, since we include different PV-coupled DACCS configurations which could be land-intensive. 4,12 Therefore, we aggregate all life cycle inventory flows associated with land transformation (in m 2 ), since the considered environmental impact category 'land use' of the ILCD 2.0 LCIA method represents land use impacts in terms of points and as such does not lead to meaningful land transformation surface areas. Results are shown for impacts on climate change in the main text, while the complete set of results is shown in Appendix F of the ESI.…”

“…for control purposes). However, the dimensions of this hall/building remain unclear, also whether the land occupation of the hall/building is considered in the land occupation presented in Viebahn et al (Viebahn, Scholz and Zelt, 2019) or not. We estimate that the building/hall occupies 75% of the total surface area (i.e.…”

“…7 Other DACCS initiatives and pilot plants usually apply the LT DAC approach. 12 Generally, not all current DACCS demonstration or pilot plants are designed as DACCS -i.e. with permanent storage of captured CO 2 -but rather connect to an industrial carbon utilisation process to reach carbon neutrality.…”

Prospects of Sunlight Driven Air-to-Methanol Synthesis via CO2 Electrolysis

“…23 Unlike Si cells, CPV cells based on III-V group elements can theoretically reach over 80% solar cell efficiency. 24 CPV cells have reached ~ 47% efficiency and on a modular level, 43.4% efficient CPV modules have been demonstrated. 25 Moreover, they can operate at high light concentrations (>1000 suns) largely compensating the higher cost associated with the manufacturing of III-V based cells.…”

Life Cycle Assessment of Direct Air Carbon Capture and Storage with Low-Carbon Energy Sources

“…• We address land transformation in detail: while gridconnected DACCS systems could exhibit low land requirements compared to other CDR technologies, 6 direct solar electricity and heat supply for the DAC unit might result in substantial land transformation. 4,12 • A global analysis is included for all-electric grid connected DACCS systems.…”