Captura, a carbon removal company based in California has announced the start of operations at its new pilot plant in Kona, Hawaii. This facility was developed in partnership with Equinor and will capture 1000 tons of carbon dioxide annually. The project represents a step forward in commercialising Direct Ocean Capture (DOC) technology which utilises the ocean’s natural processes to remove excess CO2 from the atmosphere.
A Milestone in Carbon Removal Technology
The Kona plant marks the third and final pilot in Captura’s technology development program, which aims to prepare DOC technology for larger, commercial-scale deployment globally. This technology extracts CO2 from the upper ocean, boosting its natural ability to absorb more CO2 from the atmosphere. Since the ocean absorbs 30% of global CO2 emissions, DOC technology provides a scalable, waste-free method to remove CO2.
Innovative Technology for a Scalable Solution
Captura’s DOC technology combines electrodialysis and gas extraction innovations with conventional water and gas handling systems. They successfully tested this modular approach at two earlier pilot plants in Los Angeles. The new Hawaii facility will test the technology at a scale and performance level suited for larger commercial systems. Captura is designing its first large-scale commercial plant, set to capture tens of thousands of tons of CO2 each year.
Steve Oldham, CEO of Captura, highlighted the achievement, stating, “Captura’s journey from lab-scale testing to our third technology demonstration in just three years is a testament to the scalability of our solution.”
He added, “This facility in Hawaii is the last milestone before we move to widespread commercial deployment of DOC technology. Its rapid installation and commissioning in just over two months demonstrates how our simple, modular design is ready to be scaled quickly to help address the urgent climate and energy challenge.”
Also read: Captura to Launch New Direct Ocean Capture Pilot Project in Hawaii
DOC Technology’s Versatility and Benefits
DOC technology offers flexibility, with captured CO2 serving a range of uses. Industries can use it for CO2 needs, convert it into renewable fuels, or sequester it for carbon removal. In Hawaii, local industries, including aquaculture operators, will use Captura’s captured CO2 to reduce their carbon footprint.
The Hawaii plant operates at the Hawai‘i Ocean Science and Technology (HOST) Park, a leading ocean research facility managed by the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority (NELHA). For over 50 years, NELHA has boosted Hawaii’s economy, generating $150 million annually and creating more than 600 jobs statewide. NELHA’s monitoring at HOST Park helps Captura protect ocean health while improving its carbon removal technology for a sustainable future.
Captura’s DOC process is designed to be cost-effective, scalable, and environmentally responsible. It creates no waste, adds nothing to the ocean, and only removes excess CO2, which the atmosphere replenishes naturally. This approach prioritizes both the scalability of the solution and the protection of ocean ecosystems.
