GFO-24-303 – Direct Air Capture Research, Demonstration, and Community Engagement

In 2022, the California Climate Crisis Act was established to lower anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 85% below 1990 levels and attain carbon neutrality by 2045. To support this legislation, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) prepared the 2022 Scoping Plan, outlining the importance of implementing new strategies, such as carbon dioxide removal (CDR), to address residual carbon emissions to achieve carbon neutrality. The Scoping Plan concluded that mechanical CDR will be needed to achieve carbon neutrality. Tackling this significant challenge will require research and development efforts to identify economically viable and scalable CDR solutions. In 2023, the US Department of Energy (DOE) invested $1.2 billion towards the development of regional direct air capture (DAC) Hubs. More recently, the DOE announced a notice of intent to allocate up to $1.8 billion for the design, construction, and operation of mid- and large-scale commercial DAC facilities and infrastructure scaling platforms. In California, Assembly Bill (AB) 209[5] launched the Carbon Removal Innovation Program, referred to as the Carbon Removal Innovation Support Program (CRISP) by the California Energy Commission. The goal of CRISP is to provide financial support to initiatives that promote DAC, which directly removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through physical processes, chemical processes, or both. CRISP is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment — particularly in disadvantaged communities. Many existing DAC technologies are at lower technology readiness levels (TRL) and face challenges such as high cost and energy usage, deployment and infrastructure obstacles, the need for water and other resources, and the potential to be confused for a fossil fuel-linked carbon capture strategy. However, there is a need to remove legacy emissions, and scalable DAC technologies offer a viable solution to reaching carbon neutrality since the capture performance can be easily measured and verified. The purpose of this solicitation is to advance the technical, economic, and environmental viability of innovative DAC technologies to meet the state’s carbon neutrality goals. This can include testing, piloting, and demonstrating advanced technologies, coupled with active community engagement, benefits planning, and community education. Projects must fall within the following project groups: · Group 1: Direct Air Capture Research and Development; and · Group 2: Direct Air Capture Field Demonstration and Community Engagement.

Eligibility

• Programs related to research and development
• Programs related to construction
• Programs related to public health
• Programs related to climate

Award details

Applications close on December 13, 2024.

Categories

Environment Energy · Health · Infrastructure · Rd Grants · Research Innovation