Abstract
Cryogenic Direct-air CO2 Capture (Cryogenic DAC), the technology of capturing atmospheric CO2 by desublimiting it as dry ice, can effectively utilize the abundant wind energy in Antarctica and it is estimated that the energy requirement will be competitive towards conventional aqueous solution DAC if substantial efficiency improvements and system enhancements occur. However, it hasn’t been implemented yet and the energy requirement and capital cost are uncertain. In this study, the feasibility of cryogenic DAC is analyzed by conducting a sensitivity analysis on the energy requirement/capital cost of cryogenic DAC and the capital cost of wind/solar energy in Antarctica under the 1.5℃/2.0℃ goals in Paris Agreement. As a result, if the capital cost of wind/solar power in Antarctica is the same as in Alaska the energy requirement/capital cost of cryogenic DAC require to be lower than that of aqueous solution DAC for cryogenic DAC introduction in both goals. In addition, when the energy requirement/capital cost of cryogenic DAC are fixed, it is found that the capital cost of wind/solar power generation in Antarctica requires to be limited to about 1.2 times the global standard cost for cryogenic DAC introduction in the 1.5℃ goal.
