Work

Weather conditions severely impact optimal direct air capture siting

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Direct air capture (DAC) is rapidly gaining attention as a key technological approach to mitigating climate change. While techno-economic assessments increasingly incorporate DAC, they often overlook the influence of weather variability on both energy demand and plant productivity. In this study, we analyze how local weather patterns affect the two most promising DAC approaches: the solid sorbent and the liquid solvent processes. We reveal for a German case study, that the integration of DAC with renewable energy sources necessitates temporal and spatial considerations, as fluctuations in energy supply and demand can significantly impact operational feasibility. We demonstrate energy demand fluctuations of DAC exceeding 100% over the course of a year and estimate future DAC costs in Germany in a range from 197 €/t CO2 to 1035 €/t CO2 , depending on the region and technology. These results emphasize the need for detailed, site-specific assessments to ensure future cost-optimal DAC deployment.

Source: Advances in Applied Energy

DOI: 10.1016/j.adapen.2025.100229

Authors: Henrik Wenzel, Freia Harzendorf, Kenneth Okosun, Thomas Schöb, Jann Michael Weinand, Detlef Stolten

Institutions: Forschungszentrum Jülich, RWTH Aachen University

Language: English

Topic: Carbon Dioxide Capture Technologies

Subfield: Mechanical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Affordable and clean energy, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $4,360