Articles tagged with "climate-technology"
Building the world's largest direct air capture facility
The Stratos facility in West Texas is set to become the world’s largest commercial-scale direct air capture (DAC) plant, aiming to begin operations by the end of 2025. Designed to capture 500,000 tonnes of CO2 annually—about 14 times the capacity of the current largest DAC plant in Iceland—Stratos represents a critical test of whether DAC technology can be scaled beyond pilot projects. DAC is a cutting-edge carbon removal method that extracts CO2 directly from ambient air, which contains CO2 at a very low concentration (~0.04%), requiring the processing of massive volumes of air through chemical systems that bind and then release concentrated CO2 for underground storage. DAC differs fundamentally from traditional carbon capture and storage (CCS), which captures CO2 from concentrated emission sources such as power plants. Because atmospheric CO2 is roughly 1,000 times more dilute than point-source emissions, DAC systems must handle much larger air volumes, resulting in higher energy use, costs, and engineering challenges
energycarbon-capturedirect-air-captureclimate-technologyrenewable-energycarbon-removalenvironmental-engineeringClean Technology Innovation & Collaboration: Climate Week NYC Recap, Part 2.2 - CleanTechnica
The article recaps key clean technology innovations and collaborations showcased during Climate Week NYC, highlighting the convergence of global leaders, venture capitalists, engineers, and innovators focused on advancing sustainable solutions. A notable event was the 111th Hardware Meetup, which brought together creators of physical clean tech products, emphasizing the importance of connecting innovators with global manufacturing capabilities to accelerate prototype development and production. The event was hosted by Infinite Machine, a company specializing in electrified personal transportation, which unveiled its Olto vehicle designed for enhanced safety and compliance with bike lane regulations, priced at $3,495 with deliveries starting soon. Other highlighted innovations included Thea Energy’s novel approach to fusion energy, using an array of laptop-sized magnets controlled by software to create precise magnetic fields for plasma containment, aiming for net energy positive fusion in the coming years. Additionally, Atalanta Climate from Vancouver presented an indoor carbon capture system that converts CO2 into calcium carbonates, improving indoor air quality without significant energy loss, which is particularly relevant
clean-technologyenergy-innovationfusion-energyelectrified-transportatione-bikescarbon-captureclimate-technologyWhy carbon capture is the real bottleneck in climate tech
The article highlights that while carbon storage capacity is expanding and technologically ready, the primary bottleneck in climate tech lies in the insufficient rate of carbon capture. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a three-step process involving capturing CO2 emissions from industrial sources like power plants, cement, and steel factories, transporting the compressed CO2, and permanently storing it underground. Experts emphasize that CCS is crucial for decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors and enabling carbon dioxide removal technologies such as Bio-Energy with CCS and Direct Air Carbon Capture and Storage. However, despite the growing storage infrastructure, the volume of CO2 being captured remains inadequate to meet storage potential. The challenges in scaling carbon capture include high energy consumption, inflexibility with varying industrial loads, expensive infrastructure, and health and safety concerns related to chemical degradation. These factors contribute to slow deployment and limited adaptability of capture technologies, especially for industrial emissions with dilute CO2 concentrations. Both Sarah Saltzer of Stanford Center for Carbon Storage and Jean-
energycarbon-captureclimate-technologygreenhouse-gas-reductioncarbon-storageindustrial-emissionsclimate-change-mitigationEstonian President Karis Highlights Estonia’s Role as Climate Innovation Testbed at NYC Climate Week - CleanTechnica
At New York Climate Week 2025, Estonian President Alar Karis emphasized Estonia’s role as a dynamic testbed for climate innovation, highlighting the country’s fast-growing climate technology sector and its strategic cooperation with the United States. Estonia leverages its digital agility and history of rapid innovation—previously demonstrated in nationwide digital services—to accelerate the development and scaling of climate solutions, particularly in the energy-intensive building sector. Estonian companies showcased technologies such as AI-driven building management, solar-integrated roofing, advanced construction materials, hydrogen fuel cells, and smart energy hubs, all aimed at improving energy efficiency, resilience, and sustainability. The delegation included key players like R8 Technologies, Roofit.Solar, Primostar, PowerUP Energy Technologies, and Parkinglot Category, supported by organizations such as the Beamline Accelerator, Estonian Cleantech Association, and Enterprise Estonia. President Karis framed Estonia’s climate innovation as a model for global scaling, reinforcing the potential for stronger energy security, job creation
energyclean-energyclimate-technologyAI-building-managementsolar-roofssustainable-materialshydrogen-fuel-cellsA New Green Steel Process Brings A 1980's Concept To Life
The article highlights the emerging green steel industry as a critical component of the global climate economy, focusing on the Massachusetts-based startup Boston Metal. Despite the US currently lagging in green steel investment and policy momentum, Boston Metal has secured $400 million to commercialize an innovative, emission-free steelmaking process. This technology, developed over 40 years from research at MIT, uses a molten oxide electrolysis (MOE) cell that replaces traditional coal-based coke with electricity from renewable sources, enabling the conversion of any grade of iron ore into pure liquid metal without CO2 emissions. The process also simplifies steel production by eliminating the need for complex steps, process water, and carbon capture systems. The article also situates green steel within the broader context of decarbonizing materials critical to clean technologies, such as electric vehicles and renewable energy infrastructure. Conventional steelmaking accounts for about 8% of global CO2 emissions, making green steel essential for reducing the embodied carbon footprint of automobiles and cleantech equipment.
green-steeldecarbonizationsustainable-materialsclean-energysteel-manufacturingclimate-technologymetals-recoveryTED leader’s $300M ‘valley of death’ fund might be just what later-stage climate tech needs
The article discusses a new $300 million fund called All Aboard, led by Chris Anderson, former head of TED Talks, designed to address the significant financing gap—often called the "valley of death" or "missing middle"—that climate tech startups face between early-stage funding and growth capital. This gap is especially wide in climate tech because many startups focus on hardware solutions that require expensive first-of-a-kind power plants or factories, often costing tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. All Aboard aims to provide equity or convertible equity investments, rather than loans or project-specific financing, to help startups secure the $100 million to $200 million rounds necessary to scale their technologies commercially. The fund brings together a coalition of prominent climate-focused venture firms, including Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Khosla Ventures, and Energy Impact Partners, among others. While participation in the fund does not require investment from these partners, their involvement is intended to create a "Sequoia-like" signal to attract additional
energyclimate-techclean-energyventure-capitalstartup-fundingclimate-technologyenergy-investmentTerraton wants to be the McDonald’s of biochar
Terraton aims to revolutionize the biochar industry by applying a franchise-style "business-in-a-box" model similar to McDonald’s approach to burger restaurants. Biochar is a carbon-sequestering fertilizer produced by burning agricultural waste in the absence of oxygen, which stores carbon in soil for centuries while enhancing soil health. The company recently raised $11.5 million in seed funding led by Lowercarbon Capital and Gigascale Capital, with participation from notable investors including Google’s Jeff Dean and OpenAI board member Bret Taylor. Terraton plans to help partners build biochar facilities, replicate successful models, and develop a SaaS platform to operate plants, verify carbon credits, and facilitate sales to large corporate buyers like Microsoft and Google. Terraton’s co-founders highlight that biochar production is currently supply-constrained due to the need for facilities to be located near agricultural waste sources to reduce transportation costs. Each facility can capture roughly 10,000 metric tons of CO2 annually, which is significant but
energybiocharcarbon-sequestrationsustainable-agriculturecarbon-creditsclimate-technologyrenewable-resourcesAI, Drones, & Digital Twins Help Renewable Energy Persist In US
The article discusses how technological advancements in AI, drones, and digital twins are playing a crucial role in advancing renewable energy in the US despite political uncertainties. A recent study by Systemiq and the London School of Economics highlights that AI can significantly enhance renewable energy systems by improving grid management and increasing the efficiency of solar and wind power by up to 20%. AI also aids in better financial decision-making, especially in emerging markets, by predicting investment risks more accurately. Additionally, high-performance computing systems like the Department of Energy’s Kestrel are accelerating renewable energy research and efficiency improvements. Drones are another key technology transforming renewable energy by enabling efficient inspection, maintenance, and monitoring of solar, wind, and hydro infrastructure. Market research by DataM Intelligence forecasts strong growth in the renewable drone market through 2031, driven by increasing renewable installations and advancements in drone technology that improve data accuracy and operational safety. Regulatory progress by the FAA to expand commercial drone use beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) is expected
renewable-energyAIdronesdigital-twinsenergy-efficiencysmart-gridclimate-technologyNetZeroNitrogen wants bacteria to replace synthetic fertilizer on farm fields
NetZeroNitrogen is a startup aiming to reduce the reliance on synthetic fertilizers by introducing naturally occurring nitrogen-fixing bacteria as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative. Synthetic fertilizers, while crucial for global food production, contribute significantly to environmental issues such as oceanic dead zones caused by runoff. NetZeroNitrogen’s approach uses bacteria that directly target plants’ nitrogen needs, contrasting with the broad application of synthetic fertilizers. These bacteria are not genetically modified, simplifying regulatory approval and allowing potential use in organic farming. The bacteria die along with the plant, minimizing ecological risks. The company plans to launch its first product targeting rice cultivation, leveraging the crop’s seed-soaking process to apply the bacteria easily. By using large-scale fermentation, NetZeroNitrogen can produce its bacterial amendment at a lower cost than the traditional Haber-Bosch process used for synthetic fertilizer production. The startup aims to offer its product at least $50 per hectare cheaper than synthetic fertilizers, potentially providing a 30-40% cost reduction in
energysustainable-agriculturenitrogen-fixationbiomanufacturingfertilizer-alternativesenvironmental-impactclimate-technologyMicrosoft is buying tons of carbon removal from Xprize startup Vaulted Deep
Microsoft is accelerating its efforts to meet its 2030 carbon-negative pledge by purchasing large volumes of carbon removal credits, including a recent deal to acquire 4.9 million metric tons of carbon removal from Vaulted Deep, a startup specializing in underground carbon sequestration. Vaulted Deep collects solid waste materials such as treated sewage, manure, and paper sludge, converts them into a slurry, and injects this mixture into porous underground rock formations using fracking-derived technology. This 12-year agreement, running through 2028, represents a significant step in Microsoft's strategy to offset its growing emissions, which have increased by nearly 25% since 2020 due to rapid data center expansion. Despite heavy investments in renewable energy, Microsoft faces challenges in eliminating emissions from essential operations like semiconductor manufacturing, which currently lack zero-greenhouse-gas alternatives. In 2024, the company reported 14.9 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, more than double its target for 2030. To bridge this
energycarbon-removalclimate-technologyrenewable-energycarbon-emissionsenvironmental-sustainabilitycarbon-captureTerra CO2 cements $124M Series B to slash concrete’s carbon footprint
Terra CO2, a Golden, Colorado-based startup, has secured $124.5 million in a Series B funding round to advance its low-carbon cement alternative aimed at reducing the environmental impact of concrete production. Cement manufacturing, particularly Portland cement, is responsible for about 8% of global carbon emissions due to the chemical processes and fossil fuel use involved. Terra CO2’s approach involves producing supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) by melting silicate-containing rocks into glassy powders that mimic the properties of traditional cement but with significantly lower emissions. The new funding, co-led by prominent investors including Bill Gates’s Breakthrough Energy Ventures and Al Gore’s Just Climate, will support the construction of a large-scale facility near Dallas capable of producing 240,000 tons of SCM annually. Currently, Terra CO2’s SCM can replace up to 40% of Portland cement in concrete mixtures, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 70% compared to conventional cement. The company is also developing a next-generation product intended
energymaterialslow-carbon-cementsustainable-constructioncarbon-footprint-reductionsupplementary-cementitious-materialsclimate-technologyClimeFi Unlocks Access To XPRIZE Winners With New Carbon Removal Portfolio Offering - CleanTechnica
ClimeFi has launched a new carbon removal portfolio that grants corporate buyers, climate investors, and procurement managers streamlined access to a diversified selection of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies. These technologies were vetted and recognized through the XPRIZE Carbon Removal competition, which evaluated over 1,300 global teams and awarded top prizes to breakthrough projects such as Mati Carbon’s Enhanced Rock Weathering, NetZero’s Biomass CDR and Storage, Vaulted Deep’s underground waste storage, and UNDO Carbon’s Enhanced Rock Weathering. Together, these projects represent promising, scalable pathways for permanent atmospheric CO₂ removal. The ClimeFi portfolio offers a simplified, efficient procurement process by providing a single point of access to multiple validated technologies, pre-negotiated contracts, and lower minimum purchase thresholds, aiming to deliver over 50,000 tonnes of carbon removal by 2030. This approach addresses the growing demand for credible, durable, and auditable carbon credits in the maturing voluntary carbon market, combining rigorous scientific validation with commercial readiness. The collaboration between ClimeFi and XPRIZE exemplifies how competitions and asset management platforms can work together to scale global carbon removal solutions by connecting capital with vetted, investable projects.
energycarbon-removalclimate-technologysustainabilitycarbon-captureclean-energyenvironmental-technologyBeewise brings in $50M to expand access to its robotic BeeHome - The Robot Report
Beewise Inc., a climate technology company specializing in AI-powered robotic beekeeping, has closed a $50 million Series D funding round, bringing its total capital raised to nearly $170 million. The company developed the BeeHome system, which uses artificial intelligence, precision robotics, and solar power to provide autonomous, real-time care to bee hives. This innovation addresses the critical decline in bee populations—over 62% of U.S. colonies died last year—threatening global food security due to bees’ essential role in pollinating about three-quarters of flowering plants and one-third of food crops. BeeHome enables continuous hive health monitoring and remote intervention by beekeepers, resulting in healthier colonies, improved crop yields, and enhanced biodiversity. Since its 2022 Series C financing, Beewise has become a leading global provider of pollination services, deploying thousands of AI-driven robotic hives that pollinate over 300,000 acres annually for major growers. The company has advanced its AI capabilities using recurrent neural networks and reinforcement learning to mitigate climate risks in agriculture. The latest BeeHome 4 model features Beewise Heat Chamber Technology, which eliminates 99% of lethal Varroa mites without harmful chemicals. The new funding round, supported by investors including Fortissimo Capital and Insight Partners, will accelerate Beewise’s technological innovation, market expansion, and research efforts to further its mission of saving bees and securing the global food supply.
roboticsartificial-intelligenceautonomous-systemsenergyagriculture-technologymachine-learningclimate-technologyCheapest carbon fix? Common clay may help capture CO₂ from the air
materialsCO2-captureclimate-technologyclay-mineralsenvironmental-solutionscarbon-dioxidenanomaterialsLaser-powered fusion experiment more than doubles its power output
energyfusionnuclear-energypower-outputlaser-technologyinertial-confinementclimate-technologyClimeworks’ DAC & Fiscal Collapse & The Brutal Reality Of Pulling Carbon From The Sky
energycarbon-capturedirect-air-captureclimate-technologyemissions-reductionthermodynamicsrenewable-energyTrump administration plans to shutter money-saving Energy Star program
energyEnergy-Starenergy-efficiencyhousehold-energy-costsEPAclimate-technologyenergy-savingsTrump admin plans to shutter money-saving Energy Star program
energyEnergy-Starenergy-efficiencyhousehold-energy-costsEPAclimate-technologypublic-private-partnership