India Advances in Direct Air Capture Technology with First DAC Plant by Carbon Square
India is emerging in the field of Direct Air Capture (DAC), a climate technology aimed at removing CO₂ from the atmosphere. Current efforts focus on research and innovation, primarily led by academic institutions such as IITs and CSIR-IICT.
Notably, Carbon Square is developing India's first DAC plant, which will capture 8 tonnes of CO₂ per day, indicating a move from theoretical research to practical application. DAC technologies emphasize chemical absorption and physical adsorption, aligning with local expertise and resources.
However, challenges include high energy demands, reliance on fossil fuels for electricity generation, and significant water and land requirements, making large-scale deployment costly. Each tonne of CO₂ captured necessitates 5-10 gigajoules of thermal energy and 200-700 kilowatt-hours of electricity. Innovations in materials and technologies are critical for enhancing efficiency and reducing costs for DAC.
