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how much does direct air capture cost ?

**Title:** The Cost of Direct Air Capture: How Much Does it Really Cost?

**Introduction:**

Direct Air Capture (DAC) is a fascinating technology that can capture carbon dioxide directly from the air, potentially mitigating climate change. As the world moves towards embracing sustainable solutions, understanding the cost of DAC becomes increasingly important. In this article, we’ll dive into the costs associated with DAC, exploring the different technologies, scales, and energy sources that influence its price.

**The Current Cost of DAC:**

The current cost of DAC varies from $250 to $600 per ton of CO2 removed, with some technologies being more expensive than others. For instance, Carbon Engineering’s DAC technology, which uses filters to extract CO2 from the air, costs around $100 per ton of CO2. However, other DAC methods, like Climeworks’ technology, which uses a different chemical process, can be more expensive.

**Government Support and 45Q Tax Credit:**

The US government has implemented a 45Q tax credit, which provides up to $35-50 per ton of CO2 captured through DAC and carbon capture at point sources. This support can make DAC more attractive to companies and investors.

**Future Cost Reductions:**

Researchers predict that DAC costs could drop to below $60 by 2040, making it a more viable solution for carbon removal. As technology improves and economies of scale are achieved, DAC costs are likely to decrease.

**Examples of DAC in Action:**

The world’s largest DAC plant, Orca, was recently constructed in Iceland by Climeworks and Carbfix. Orca captures 4,000 tonnes of CO2 per year and Carbfix turns the CO2 into stone forever.

**Conclusion:**

While the cost of DAC is higher than other methods of capturing carbon dioxide, the technology has the potential to play a significant role in mitigating climate change. As costs decrease and technology improves, DAC could become an increasingly important tool in the fight against climate change.

**References:**

* World Resources Institute: Direct Air Capture: 6 Things To Know
* World Economic Forum: How does direct air capture work?
* International Energy Agency: Direct Air Capture
* IEbrain: Top 3 Questions About Direct Air Capture (DAC) Answered
* ORF: Direct air capture: Inching towards cost competitiveness?
* ScienceDirect: Pricing CO2 Direct Air Capture
* YouTube: “Direct Air Capture: How it Works”

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