It’s Time to Address Our Past Mistakes

TerraFixing, an Ottawa-based startup, is preparing for the deployment of its innovative direct air capture (DAC) technology, aimed at addressing the pressing issue of carbon dioxide accumulation in the atmosphere. With growing climatic challenges like hurricanes and wildfires, carbon reduction initiatives are critical, yet the need for active carbon removal from the atmosphere remains pressing. Founders Vida Gabriel and Sean Wilson emphasize the urgency of rectifying historical environmental mistakes, highlighting that 2.5 trillion tonnes of CO2 have been emitted since the Industrial Revolution.

Since its inception in 2020, TerraFixing has focused on developing DAC technologies, particularly suitable for cold climates, using zeolite, a mineral adept at capturing carbon. Contrary to earlier skepticism regarding DAC's efficacy and economic viability, Gabriel and Wilson's research has revealed that zeolite captures CO2 efficiently in cold and dry air where carbon molecules are easier to extract. Over four years, the co-founders have refined their technology with $1.6 million in seed funding and have gained industry recognition, such as their selection as one of the top 100 contenders in the XPRIZE Carbon Removal competition.

TerraFixing's DAC system employs high-powered fans to pull in air, capturing carbon on zeolite filters. The carbon is then liquified for underground storage, ultimately solidifying back into rock, while the filters can be reused—making the system highly efficient. Their first modular unit, capable of capturing 4,000 tonnes of carbon annually, is set to launch in a pilot project in Fermont, Quebec, in collaboration with Tugliq Énergie. This project will utilize both grid power and renewable energy generated by Tugliq's wind turbines, demonstrating a potential synergy between carbon removal and clean energy sources.

The startup also aims to respect and integrate with local Indigenous communities in their projects, recognizing the environmental and social context of their operations. Gabriel contends that combining carbon removal with renewable energy could significantly improve living conditions in these communities, many of whom rely on diesel generators and face challenges like poor air quality and access to clean water.

Despite currently limited large-scale DAC implementations, the technological framework is advancing rapidly. The International Energy Agency (IEA) noted that existing DAC plants capture less than 0.01 million tonnes of carbon annually, far below the projected requirements of 980 million tonnes per year by 2050. However, notable facilities, such as those operated by Climeworks and Carbon Engineering, signal a promising trend toward scaling DAC technologies.

Merchant from Carbon Removal Canada emphasizes the importance of scaling up DAC solutions to meet net-zero targets and mitigate emissions across hard-to-abate sectors. TerraFixing sees itself contributing significantly to this landscape, eyeing expansive opportunities for DAC installations in remote, cold areas of Canada and beyond.

Ultimately, the vision of TerraFixing extends to creating DAC hubs in extreme climates like the Arctic, with ambitions of achieving widespread carbon capture even to the extent of rendering their own technology obsolete as emissions are curtailed. The initiative aligns with larger goals set forth by various global and national carbon strategies, marking a critical step towards a sustainable future.