Contact Power can be issuing an RFP for the seize, cleansing, & conversion of CO2 from the Ohaaki geothermal energy station in New Zealand to food-grade CO2.
Contact Power (Contact) has developed a strategy to seize the small quantity of naturally occurring carbon dioxide launched throughout geothermal energy era on the Ohaaki geothermal website close to Taupo, New Zealand.
To this finish, Contact will quickly be issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) from potential companions for capturing, cleansing, and changing of carbon dioxide from the Ohaaki energy station to food-grade high quality. The deadline for Ohaaki Meals Grade CO2 manufacturing RFP submissions can be on 6 December 2023.
“It is a actually thrilling alternative,” says Contact CEO Mike Fuge. “We have now achieved a large quantity of testing, and the outcomes are very optimistic.”
“Not solely will this initiative assist cut back carbon emissions together with these from burning fossil fuels to ship CO2 to New Zealand, however it might additionally create round 40 jobs within the Taupo space and assist clear up New Zealand’s meals grade CO2 scarcity by making a homegrown supply that may enhance provide and reduce value. It is a nice consequence for NZ Inc as it’ll enhance the nation’s resilience and independence.”
A sustainable supply of CO2
Geothermal operations produce comparatively low ranges of local weather change gases, making it one of many greenest and most sustainable types of CO2. Contact estimates about 65,000 tonnes of CO2 may very well be captured at its Ohaaki geothermal website yearly, which is sufficient to totally provide the New Zealand market.
“Meals grade CO2 is just the start,” provides Mike. “Purified CO2 may very well be used together with inexperienced hydrogen to create sustainable fuels for aviation, transport and different transportation.”
In addition to carbonating drinks, meals grade CO2 is utilized in packaging to protect the freshness of meals, in addition to maintaining medical provides cool throughout transportation and in biofuel manufacturing.
Earlier this yr, Contact Power signed a 10-year renewable attribute buy settlement with Microsoft for all of the renewable vitality attributes generated by the deliberate 51.4-MW Te Huka Unit 3 geothermal energy station.
Supply: Contact Power