Geothermal-integrated Direct Air Capture Technology

Climate change is a global challenge that has significant impacts on billions of people worldwide. Approximately 3.3–3.6 billion people live in contexts that are highly vulnerable to climate change. Kenya is one of the countries that is disproportionately affected by climate change and has been experiencing prolonged droughts, flash floods, and unpredictable weather patterns affecting the agricultural sector, which is the backbone of the country. According to the Central Bank of Kenya, the agricultural sector employs over 40% of Kenya's population and contributes 20% to the country's gross domestic product. 

The rising atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases are the primary drivers of global climate change. The atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration has reached unprecedented levels, surpassing 420 parts per million in 2024. To limit global warming to below 1.5°C and stay on track for a net zero future, climate science underscores the need to remove 5-10 billion tons of CO2 from the atmosphere annually by 2050. 

Currently, only ~2 billion tons of CO2 are being removed in a year.  This leaves a gap, highlighting a critical need for advancing CDR technology development and deployment. Direct Air Capture (DAC) is considered a gold standard for CDR as it is highly scalable, measurable and durable. Unlike conventional CDR methods, DAC can be deployed anywhere and occupies a smaller footprint relative to the amount of CO2 removed. However, as a novel technology that is still under development globally, the costs associated with DAC are still high, and the DAC process can be energy intensive. 

As Global South's first Direct Air Capture (DAC) company, we design, build, and will soon deploy machines that filter CO2 from the atmosphere. At the heart of our DAC approach is a proprietary CO2 filter -'sorbent' developed in-house that selectively binds with atmospheric CO2. The sorbent is housed within the DAC machines that facilitate capture efficiency.  

The DAC process is a cyclic process and occurs in two phases: adsorption and desorption within the machine. During the first phase, the adsorption-CO2 Capture phase, air is drawn into the machines, where it passes through the sorbent material. The sorbent selectively captures CO2 from the air, letting other gases pass through, which lasts approximately 3 hours. Saturation of the sorbent initiates the second phase, desorption – ‘CO2 release phase’, where we employ a combination of partial vacuum and steam injection to heat the sorbent to ~85°C. This process regenerates the sorbents for reuse while releasing the captured CO2.  

Leveraging Kenya’s renewable energy, geology, and talent, we aim to overcome the limitations of DAC. Kenya’s grid is 93% renewable, with plans to make it 100% by 2030. Additionally, ~1000MWh of geothermal electricity is curtailed daily due to a lack of adequate industrial demand. By tapping into this excess capacity, we aim to power our DAC operations sustainably. Furthermore, we have uniquely designed our technology to integrate with geothermal waste heat, which is abundant in the region and available at an extremely low price due to limited usage. The waste heat accounts for >80% of our energy requirements, with the other <20% coming from renewable geothermal energy. This drives down our operating costs, helping us address DAC’s high energy intensity.  

Kenya’s Rift Valley is rich in basaltic rock formations, which are natural CO2 reservoirs. This is mainly due to their ability to mineralize when combined with CO2 to form carbonate minerals, i.e., rocks locking the CO2 away for millions of years with no risk of leakage. This eliminates the need for capital-intensive infrastructure for CO2 transportation to storage sites, reducing the cost of deploying our DAC technology in Kenya.  

Finally, Kenya’s highly skilled talent pool has enabled us to build our machines at a highly modular scale. Our latest model can capture 10 tons of CO2 in a year(10tCO2/yr). This modularity allows for faster iteration and has granted us faster learning curves than our industry peers as we work to increase our machines' capture capacities. 

To date, we have built seven at-scale DAC machines with varied capture capacities ranging from 1tCO2/yr to 10 tCO2/yr. We are set to deploy a pilot project DAC+Storage facility, Project Hummingbird, in Q4 2024. The plant will house ~100 units of our latest model and will capture and securely store 10,000 tCO2 over its ten-year lifetime. Cella Mineral Storage, a carbon mineralization company with operations in Kenya, will handle the CO2 storage phase. 

Beyond delivering carbon credits from our pilot project to enable established individuals and businesses to offset their emissions, we seek to promote climate justice in Kenya. Our pilot plant will be deployed in Naivasha, a region primarily inhabited by the Maasai and Kikuyu communities, who depend on pastoralism and agriculture, respectively, for their livelihoods.  

Unfortunately, climate change has resulted in irregular rainfall patterns, extended droughts, and increased temperatures, making agricultural practices unfavorable and unsustainable. As a result, local communities in our deployment area have resorted to alternative sources of income, such as cutting down trees for charcoal. Our DAC operations will offer an alternative source of livelihood for the local communities and Kenyan youth. We are currently a team of 55 members and plan to grow to over 70 by year's end as we scale our operations. In addition to job creation, we are co-developing a community benefits plan with the communities that aims to address the challenges they face, such as water scarcity and limited resources to access quality education. We have started implementing the benefits plan and have already sponsored 11 high school children from the region. 

Lastly, despite Kenya having a 93% renewable grid, most Kenyans are underserved because a significant amount of energy remains untapped, leading to increased electricity costs for end consumers. On average, 1,000 MWh of geothermal energy is curtailed daily due to the lack of industrial demand. Our technology utilizes this untapped geothermal energy. By integrating our DAC machines with geothermal energy and waste heat, our plant and future DAC initiatives provide use for this renewable energy, creating an industrial demand for this excess capacity. This will encourage more investments in renewables, subsidize the cost of electricity to Kenyans, and increase access to electricity.  

Despite having a 93% renewable grid, most Kenyans are underserved because a significant amount of energy remains untapped. On average, 1,000 MWh of geothermal energy is curtailed daily due to the lack of industrial demand, leading to increased electricity costs to the end consumers who bear the cost of wasted capacity. By integrating our DAC operations with the geothermal sector, our DAC operations will create a new industrial demand, encouraging more investments in the sector. This will in turn subsidize electricity costs for Kenyans and increase electricity access for rural communities. 

Our team is composed predominantly of young Kenyan innovators, making up 98% of our workforce. This demographic makeup ensures that we bring firsthand experiences of the effects of climate change to the table, instilling in us a deep dedication to developing DAC technology in alignment with the social needs of our communities.   

From the inception of Project Hummingbird, we set out to co-develop our pilot project with the local communities in Naivasha. Our initial engagements began with visits and dialogues with the local community leaders and members from Suswa, where we introduced our DAC + S technology. Since then, we have implemented continuous community engagement sessions to address the local community's concerns and educate them about our operations and how they stand to benefit. Through these gatherings, we have been able to align the project with the community’s needs by crafting a community benefits plan that is informed by their needs. 

As part of the implementation strategy, we provided 11 school-going children with full scholarships and intend to sponsor ~100 children by the end of the year. We are also partnering with local NGOs to drill boreholes to enable community members to access fresh water for domestic use.  

We have made significant progress in advancing our technology as we gear up for deployment. To date, we have built 7 DAC machines. Our journey began with Thursday, our first DAC machine which had the capacity to capture 1tCO2/yr. We open-sourced Thursday through the Open Air Collective, which has since been referenced by DAC enthusiasts globally. After Thursday, we developed Satima, which has the capacity to capture 4tCO2/yr. This was commissioned to be deployed in Paris, France, by an artificial diamond-making company. 

Currently, our Lenana model is being iterated before mass production for deployment in our pilot project. We have built three iterations of the model so far, which can capture up to 10tCO2/yr. Additionally, we have built Kesses, which we are using to streamline the processes of achieving and maintaining vacuums and incorporating direct heating systems that will enable us to attain high desorption temperatures. Lastly, we have a small DAC unit called Kilimandogo, which we use as a demonstration model for our technology. 

Following the progress that we have made with our machines, we have designed and are building a mini-DAC demonstration plant. We have acquired all the components for the mini-plant and completed the Front-End Engineering Designs (FEED). Constructing this mini-plant is instrumental in enhancing our expertise in plant design, establishing a network of suppliers for plant equipment, and confirming the expenses associated with plant-level infrastructure. The Mini Plant will host 4 Lenana units. The insights gained from the Mini Plant will be critical in refining the design and functionality of Project Hummingbird. We aim to establish a solid foundation for a successful large-scale carbon capture and utilization project through early detection and rectification of any inefficiencies during the Mini Plant's operation. 

As a pioneering DAC Company in the Global South, we have been facing challenges in securing funding, especially for our FOAK DAC+Storage project. The venture capital environment in Africa prioritizes climate resilience and adaptation projects, often overlooking mitigation efforts like DAC. This is one of the reasons why we are applying to Solve. The $10,000 prize and access to additional grants and investments will give us the financial boost that will enable us to fund Project Hummingbird. 

Beyond the financial benefits, MIT Solve will go a long way in helping us achieve our goal of entering the US market. This requires us to develop a unique strategy that not only pinpoints the perfect market niche for us but also helps us successfully navigate the intricate regulatory framework of the US. We are looking to partner with local entities in the US to jointly develop our projects and enhance our business value. MIT Solve’s deep understanding and connections within the US market, alongside its network of mentors, advisors, and industry partners, will be crucial for us.  Through MIT Solve’s 9-month virtual support program, we aim to forge partnerships with local specialists and create projects that are tailor-made for the US market. This would equip us with the expertise we need in areas like R&D grant strategies, IP Law, and scaling our technology. 

Also, MIT Solve will offer us an excellent opportunity to connect with a network of impact-minded leaders and gain exposure in the media and at conferences. This aligns perfectly with our goal of broadening our influence and becoming a leader in the Direct Air Capture sector.  

The distinctive feature of our DAC technology is its groundbreaking approach to machine design and the advanced sorbent chemistry it utilizes. Our approach to constructing DAC machines involves a standardized, modular design that enables quick modifications and improvements.  Consequently, we have developed Seven DAC machines at scale within approximately 22 months, focusing on vacuum integrity, heat and mass transfer efficiency within sorbent beds, energy saving, and cost reduction.  These designs ensure our units are not only compatible with our sorbent's capabilities but also meet our targets for efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Through constant refinement, we've managed to prepare our latest machine for mass production and deployment in our FOAK project.   

Our sorbent supports low-temperature desorption processes, which sets our DAC technology apart in the industry. Low-temperature desorption allows for using various heat sources, enhancing our system's efficiency. This has allowed the integration of geothermal waste heat to supply over 85% of our energy needs, significantly reducing our reliance on electricity. Utilizing geothermal waste heat also reduces our operational costs due to its lower cost.  Using low-cost geothermal energy also solves a traditional setback of DAC in its energy intensiveness. This makes DAC technology a more feasible and appealing solution within the climate technology industry. Our deployment in Kenya will create a blueprint that can be replicated globally in thus promoting the broader implementation of DAC solutions. 

Our Theory of Change is a multi-faceted approach to tackling climate change that hinges on making DAC technology a more accessible and impactful solution. Our goal is to achieve a cost-effective deployment of DAC in Kenya. Our technology is built on leveraging Kenya's unique resources in renewable energy, geological formations, and skilled workforce to significantly reduce operational costs. To achieve this, we will demonstrate the feasibility of low-cost DAC, thus encouraging wider adoption of the technology. 

Being the first DAC company in the Global South is an opportunity to pioneer DAC deployment that can be replicated in other regions with resources similar to Kenya's. This will allow DAC to become a CDR method that can be operationalized all year round, thus broadening accessibility and affordability and fostering wider adoption of DAC technology beyond developed nations. 

We are transitioning to mass manufacturing our technology for deployment in Project Hummingbird in Q4 2024 and capturing 10,000 t/CO2 in ten years. Project Hummingbird will act as a benchmark and inform our scaling plans. By 2030, we aim to remove millions of tons of CO2 from the atmosphere. This will significantly increase our overall carbon capture capacity, leading to a greater impact on atmospheric CO2 levels.  

In the process of advancing DAC in Kenya, we've established key alliances, notably with our storage partner, who is responsible for the sequestration of CO2 captured by Project Hummingbird. Collaborations with the Kenyan government have been instrumental in driving the DAC agenda in the country. Most importantly, we are committed to climate justice for Kenyan communities who have been adversely affected by climate change. We have quarterly community engagement meetings with the local communities around our project deployment area. These interactions have enlightened us about the local challenges and reservations concerning our facility. We are working towards creating awareness on the safety of DAC and gaining community support. We also have a community engagement plan in place where we are sponsoring 11 children through their education, engaging young people in developing technical skills, and working with local NGOs to sink boreholes to provide clean water. 

The culmination of our efforts will be the supply of verified carbon credits through Project Hummingbird. This will potentially drive down credit prices, making them more accessible. Our focus on transparency in our operations will go a long way in building trust in the carbon credit market and incentivizing buyers seeking high-quality carbon credits to offset their emissions.

Project Hummingbird is at the forefront of combating climate change by capturing atmospheric CO2 and securely storing it, significantly mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. This effort aligns with the global goal to limit warming to below 1.5 degrees Celsius by reducing CO2 levels. Our DAC facility advances towards a low-carbon economy in harmony with SDG 13. We focus on operational sustainability by integrating renewable energy sources in our DAC technology. We believe in technological innovation in addressing environmental challenges and elevating climate action awareness.  

We are targeting SDG 9, Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, through Project Hummingbird, which is a testament to innovation in the DAC industry. We are constantly striving to enhance the efficiency of our DAC machines and showcase the practicality of DAC investments. This innovation can potentially attract more significant investments into the DAC industry. Furthermore, to help solve the problem of geothermal electricity waste in Kenya, our project will support sustainable infrastructure development, thus exemplifying sustainable industrialization.  

In several key aspects, our target is SDG 8, Decent Work and Economic Growth. Project Hummingbird has already generated over 55 high-skill employment opportunities for young Kenyans. With plans to expand our in-house production of DAC machines, we anticipate creating over 100 quality jobs. Furthermore, the establishment, operation, and upkeep of our facility in Naivasha are crucial for providing employment to the local population. This initiative not only meets the immediate demand for decent jobs but also stimulates economic growth at the community level, paving the way for a more sustainable and inclusive development paradigm. Beyond direct job creation, our engagement with local suppliers and contractors actively promotes local economic growth. 

Project Hummingbird aligns with the SDG7's objective to ensure access to affordable and clean energy. In Kenya, despite having an impressive 93% of the grid as renewable energy, a significant portion of this green energy remains underutilized. It's estimated that about 1,000 MWh of geothermal electricity is wasted daily due to the lack of demand. This results in higher electricity costs for consumers since excess capacity costs are passed on to them. It also exacerbates the issue of energy poverty, particularly in rural regions. By creating new industrial demand for this surplus geothermal power, our project aims to enhance the cost-effectiveness of clean energy in Kenya.  

We are targeting SDG 1, no poverty, by creating opportunities that foster sustainable development and community empowerment. So far, we have created employment opportunities for ~55 young Kenyans, and we plan to double this number by Q4 of 2024. Through Project Hummingbird, we will also create ~20 job opportunities for local pastoralists who have been adversely affected by prolonged droughts. This will ensure they have alternative sources of livelihood. 

Our DAC technology leverages a Temperature-Vacuum Swing Adsorption (TVSA) process, employing a solid-supported amine sorbent for efficient atmospheric CO2 capture. We chose the PEI/Silica sorbent for its affordability, proven supply chain, and adaptability to our specific requirements. Our innovative sorbent technology enables desorption at significantly lower temperatures, which ensures sorbent regeneration efficiency. This breakthrough in desorption temperature minimization enables using a diverse array of low-grade thermal energy sources. We use waste geothermal heat to cover ~85% of our energy needs. This technology is exceptionally suited to harness the geothermal waste heat available in Kenya, making it a perfect fit for large-scale Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) projects.  

 The DAC process unfolds in two main stages: adsorption and desorption. Adsorption involves air intake through a sorbent-packed chamber to selectively capture CO2, and desorption involves heating the saturated sorbent under a partial vacuum to release CO2. This cycle of capturing and releasing CO2 is made highly cost-effective and energy-efficient through geothermal waste heat. 

The CO2 capture process, or adsorption, is initiated by opening the damper plates of our device. This exposes the sorbent chamber, where the solid sorbent is arranged in a specific configuration to maximize exposure to air. With the damper plates open, fans pull in air from all directions into the chamber, where the sorbent selectively absorbs CO2 and allows other gases to exit through the top of the device. After the sorbent is fully saturated, the damper plates close, sealing the chamber and preparing for CO2 release or desorption.  

Desorption starts by vacuuming the sealed chamber to achieve optimal low pressures, facilitating the desorption process. At this stage, indirect heating raises the sorbent's temperature to approximately 85°C using steam, which is efficiently generated from locally available geothermal waste heat at a minimal cost. This steam heating releases the captured CO2, which is then compressed and purified.  

Our DAC system operates in continuous adsorption and desorption cycles, with each adsorption phase lasting about three hours and each desorption phase about one hour. 

55

Approximately 2 years.

Diversity and inclusion are fundamental pillars of our company’s growth and success. We recognize the invaluable contribution Kenyan talent has in developing our globally competitive DAC technology. Our team is made up of 98% Black African individuals, and our leadership team also reflects our commitment to diversity, with over a third of the team being women.  

We are dedicated to fostering equality and upholding affirmative action policies, including increasing the representation of women across our workforce. This demonstrates our dedication to achieving gender parity. 

Central to our ethos, we aim to create an inclusive environment where every employee is valued, respected, and inspired to embrace their unique capabilities and bring different viewpoints to the table. To this end, we consistently review our policies to ensure they actively promote inclusivity and eliminate biases. We maintain a strict stance against any harassment or discrimination based on gender, race, sexual orientation, and other identities. Additionally, we continuously refine our hiring, onboarding, and orientation practices to foster inclusivity throughout all our operations.   

Recognizing the importance of accessibility, we are actively integrating initiatives for disability inclusion into our company policies. We believe a diverse team will not only increase overall productivity but also drive innovation and effectiveness within our organization and the communities we serve. 

Our business model focuses on selling forward carbon credits generated from our pilot plant, Project Hummingbird, to individuals and companies seeking to offset their emissions. Carbon credits are available through pre-sale and off-take agreements. We have listed our pilot project on reputable online marketplaces like Patch, Cloverly, and Klimate.co, aiming to broaden our reach globally. Our primary customers are mainly corporations and individuals in the finance and tech sectors with sustainability and climate commitments and internal net-zero targets.  

Beyond customer acquisition, community acceptance is integral to the project’s successful implementation. Therefore, the Naivasha residents, particularly the Kikuyu and Maasai communities, are the main beneficiaries of Project Hummingbird. With an approximate population of 350,000 people in the area, we aim to impact all the focus groups within the deployment region to obtain the social license to operate within the region. 

On a broader scale, our FOAK plant and future scale-up projects hold the potential to address the electricity cost disparity for end consumers in Kenya. Despite Kenya’s 93% renewable energy grid, about 1000 MWh of energy is curtailed daily due to inadequate demand. This leads to high electricity costs for end consumers who bear the cost of excess energy produced. Project Hummingbird and our subsequent scale-ups will capitalize on this excess capacity, potentially driving down the electricity costs for marginalized communities in Kenya. This will incentivize more investments in the renewables sector and increase electricity access.  

Additionally, our DAC+ Storage plant will drive socio-economic development within the Naivasha region, providing green jobs as an alternative to sustainable livelihoods. Having created employment opportunities for 55 young Kenyans, we plan to double this by EOY 2024 as we finalize manufacturing DAC machines for deployment. In line with our scalability potential, we anticipate an exponential growth of the team’s capacity to 500 employees at the plant and an additional 20,000 employees in manufacturing and construction positions on a gigaton scale. 

As a long-term strategy, we have collaborated with a local community engagement consultant to craft a comprehensive community benefits plan. The benefit plan is aimed at addressing the major challenges facing the residents, including water scarcity, high poverty levels, and illiteracy levels.  As our project progresses, this plan will evolve with the overarching goal of enhancing living standards for all residents of Naivasha, regardless of gender, race, or social status. Additionally, a portion of the revenue generated from the project will be allocated to fund local ecosystem restoration initiatives, including educational sponsorship programs and climate innovation workshops. All in efforts to gain the community buy-in, ensuring our project's deployment is socially equitable and just.  

Our financial strategy constitutes a blend of investment capital, grant financing, and leveraging revenue from carbon credit pre-sales. Despite not receiving grant funding, we have successfully achieved significant revenue worth ~$1 million, equivalent to >15% of the plant's capacity over the less than two years in operation.  Our primary objective is to allocate a portion of the pre-sale revenue to cover 80% of the working capital of the DAC units. 

Moving forward, our strategy entails leveraging grants in early Q3-2024 to diversify our financial approach, facilitating the funding of the DAC + Storage plant ahead of deployment plans in Q4-2024. Specifically, we aim to leverage grant funding from Development Finance Institutions such as USAID’s Development Impact Ventures (DIV) pool to optimize remaining working capital.  

On the equity front, we have raised ~$1.12M in equity for our pre-seed round. We are raising $2M in our seed round to fund the implementation of Project Hummingbird Phase 1. Currently, we have secured >50>#/span### of the commitments and anticipate closing the fundraising by the end of this quarter. With our current trajectory, we are well-positioned to exceed our financial targets ahead of the plant’s initial deployment.  Consequently, we are in late-stage conversations with multiple buyers, aiming to sell out the entire capacity of Project Hummingbird by the end of 2024. 

Following Project Hummingbird's deployment, we will focus on securing long-term off-take agreements and exploring Business-to-Government (B2G) sales opportunities under the Article 6.2 framework. This approach will act as a strategic market penetration entry point and a pathway to sustainable, predictable alternative revenue streams. 

Beyond the carbon credits sales, we are exploring opportunities in the Carbon to Value market (C2V) by integrating Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) into our product line. A key milestone is our ambition to lead the global DAC deployment by becoming the leading OEM producer for our DAC machines within the next three years. To this end, we have forged a solid partnership with Retract, a project developer in North Dakota, laying the groundwork for global deployment. Following diversified revenue streams, we are confident that our projected revenue will cater to the expenses of Project Hummingbird and its future scale-up projects, ensuring financial sustainability over the decade-long presence of our project.