CarbonCapture Inc., a leading direct air capture (DAC) company, has paused the development of Project Bison in Wyoming. The decision to relocate the project to another state is due to high competition for renewable energy. The rapidly growing data centers in the area have increased the demand for clean energy.
CarbonCapture Inc. Prioritizes Clean Energy for Optimal Carbon Removal Impact
CarbonCapture Inc. considers the use of clean energy as an essential part of its model. This ensures the greatest impact in terms of reducing carbon emissions from its operations. Project Bison was planned to be operational before 2024 and remove 5 million metric tons of CO2 annually by 2030.
Despite making significant progress in developing partnerships and securing permits, including $12.5 million in DOE funding, CarbonCapture Inc. has decided to transfer the project and funding to a new location. The company is currently in contact with the DOE regarding this transition.
CarbonCapture Inc.’s Progress and Future Plans for Direct Air Capture
This setback comes amidst an overall upward trajectory for CarbonCapture Inc. The company recently:
- Raised $80 million in a Series A funding round
- Secured pre-purchase agreements for carbon removal credits with clients like Microsoft
- Signed a lease for its first DAC manufacturing facility in Mesa, Arizona
- Unveiled the Leo Series, its first commercial-scale DAC system designed for mass production
CarbonCapture Inc. plans to announce the new location for its DAC site within the next few months. The company website also lists a project named “Sonora,” but details are not yet available.
Wyoming’s Carbon Negative Ambitions and the Impact of Renewable Energy Demand
The relocation of Project Bison is a setback for Wyoming and its goal of becoming carbon negative. Republican Governor Mark Gordon has been a vocal supporter of initiatives promoting carbon removal and carbon capture. This environment has attracted other DAC and carbon management companies to invest in Wyoming.
However, the rapidly increasing demand for renewable energy in Wyoming and across the Western U.S. may impact these projects. The Western Governor’s Association, currently chaired by Governor Gordon, has 19 member states pursuing decarbonization initiatives.
The Growing Energy Demand of AI and Data Centers
The surge in AI adoption is driving a significant increase in energy demand from data centers. Goldman Sachs Research predicts a 160% rise in data center energy consumption by 2030. AI queries consume significantly more power than traditional searches.
This increased demand is impacting even major tech companies like Microsoft, which saw a 30% surge in emissions. Microsoft has partnered with Brookfield Asset Management to develop 10.5 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity for its data centers.
Read More: Michigan University Gets $5M to Study Carbon Storage
