In a groundbreaking advancement of the energy-water nexus, the innovative US startup Avnos has achieved a significant milestone by securing $36 million in Series A funding. This injection of capital is set to propel their pioneering carbon capture and water recovery system from its pilot phase into the commercial sphere. The backing comes from prominent figures in the oil and gas sector. However, it’s noteworthy that the US Office of Naval Research played a crucial early role in refining the technology to attract investor interest, presenting a particularly intriguing aspect of the story.
The HDAC System: A Leap Forward in Carbon and Water Capture
Avnos is making headlines with its recent funding success for its Hybrid Direct Air Capture (HDAC) system. This innovative technology has piqued investor interest with a major contribution from a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, renowned as a leading producer of renewable energy and an expert in battery storage. Though the announcement also highlights support from Shell Ventures, Avnos’ Series A investors include esteemed entities such as Safran Corporate Ventures, Envisioning Partners, and Rusheen Capital Management. Previous contributions from Shell Ventures, ConocoPhillips, JetBlue Ventures, and the Grantham Foundation underscore the continuity of strategic support for Avnos.
SoCalGas Steps Up to Support Avnos
The support for Avnos extends beyond investors to include the US Department of Energy. The company’s roots trace back to technology from the Energy Department’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and has since caught the eye of the Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas). Invested in a $3.1 million demonstration project, SoCalGas is keen on validating the efficiency of Avnos’s Isothermal Water Vapor and CO2 Capture (IWVC) system. SoCalGas has laid out a comprehensive approach to achieving carbon neutrality by integrating carbon capture with alternative strategies such as electrification and renewable natural gas.
The project’s initial targets aimed at capturing substantial amounts of water and carbon dioxide daily, hinting at the system’s potential at scale. Avnos’s CEO, Will Kain, optimistically projects the capability of one system to generate millions of gallons of water and remove megatons of CO2 annually.
Innovating with Moisture Swing Adsorbents
Avnos’s method employs adsorbent materials, which are distinctive from the absorbent variety in their moisture-attracting characteristic. However, the use of adsorbents poses energy and resource challenges within the direct air capture domain. Researchers from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory found an ingenious workaround by developing desiccants that regenerate without the requirement for external heat, creating an economical way to produce water alongside CO2.
The process consists of two stages, with the first capturing water vapor and CO2, followed by water condensation and CO2 compression, positioning the technology as a contender in the burgeoning green hydrogen and electrofuels space.
The US Navy’s Intriguing Role
The involvement of the US Navy is a topic ripe with curiosity. The Navy’s prioritization of energy-efficient water reclamation led to their early interest in Avnos’s technology. Funding from the US Naval Research Laboratory has previously gone towards innovative carbon capture studies, spotlighting the Navy’s proactive approach to next-generation sustainable technologies.
Materials science advancements have steered the focus towards the concept of ‘moisture swing’ sorbents, as evidenced by researchers and academics, including Klaus S. Lackner with his “Mechanical Tree” concept. This technology, which operates on moisture swings, boasts the ability to capture carbon at a rate vastly surpassing that of natural trees.
Concluding with a nod to the Navy’s intentions, it is anticipated that Avnos’s technology will not only aid in water recovery but could also play a pivotal role in on-demand electrofuels production, a vital area of interest for naval operations.
Avnos’s journey illustrates the potent combination of visionary research, strategic partnerships, and forward-thinking investment. As these technologies move closer to large-scale application, the potential impact on our environment and energy security is substantial, heralding a new era in sustainability and innovation.
