In a groundbreaking move, EDF Renewables North America is set to revolutionize how we capture and store carbon dioxide. Announcing an innovative project on Monday, the company revealed plans to harness wind power for direct air capture (DAC) of CO2, marking a significant step forward in clean energy technology.
The DAC facility will incorporate Skytree’s carbon capture technology and is planned for construction in Texas, a state known for its wind energy and suitable geological conditions for underground CO2 storage. This project, however, goes beyond just environmental benefits; it introduces a novel approach to power supply.
EDF Renewables operates extensive wind farms in Texas, traditionally channeling carbon-free energy into the state’s electric grid. However, this new deal, along with a previous agreement aimed at a data center, will supply wind-generated electricity directly to facilities. “It’s breaking the normal model of power transaction deals,” Gabe Messercola, EDF Renewables’ associate director of capital improvements, explained to Newsweek. “This deal is a new model of power transaction where that customer is actually physically connected to our power plant.”
Photo-illustration by Newsweek
By colocating new facilities with power sources, companies can bypass grid interconnection queues, buying electricity directly from the source. This not only ensures a steady supply of clean energy but also provides a reliable customer base for energy producers.
Skytree, in collaboration with Return Carbon, aims to remove 500,000 tons of CO2 annually using the wind-powered DAC park. Meanwhile, EDF Renewables also signed a deal with Soluna Holdings, allowing the latter to purchase up to 166 megawatts of renewable energy for a nearby data center.
The increasing demand for electricity, particularly for new data centers and industrial facilities, poses challenges for businesses seeking grid connections. For instance, Elon Musk‘s xAI encountered such hurdles when establishing its supercomputer data center in Memphis last year, resorting to temporary natural gas generators instead of waiting for grid access.
According to a Department of Energy study, U.S. data centers might consume between 6.7 to 12 percent of the nation’s total electricity by 2028. This is not just a domestic issue; Frank Gielen of InnoEnergy highlighted similar challenges in Europe, emphasizing the need for behind-the-meter solutions.
Behind-the-meter arrangements require extensive coordination, involving property acquisition, financing, and regulatory compliance. For instance, Amazon’s attempt to leverage a nuclear power plant for its data center was thwarted by regulatory concerns.
Texas, with its market-oriented grid management, facilitates such innovative deals, as Messercola noted. The agreement with Soluna includes a clause allowing operation curtailment to prevent grid strain during high demand periods.
Courtesy of EDF Renewables North America
Messercola emphasized the need to align energy production with demand, stating, “We’ve built out wind and solar faster than the transmission grid can keep up with us, and that hurts us.” He added that behind-the-meter solutions could enhance the value of renewable energy.
In Europe, behind-the-meter initiatives are spurring clean-energy advancements, including ocean-based power generation. Gielen mentioned collaborations with companies harnessing tidal and wave energy, as well as innovations in energy storage and efficiency.
As tech sector energy demands rise, these challenges also present opportunities for clean energy growth. “I’m pretty sure that a lot of innovations will be accelerated,” Gielen remarked, noting the influence of the AI sector on energy transition.
Original Story at www.newsweek.com