Daily Current Affairs : 11-May-2024
The world’s largest Direct Air Capture and Storage (DAC+S) plant, named Mammoth, has recently started operations in Iceland. This innovative facility, created by the Swiss organization Climeworks, marks a significant advancement in the fight against climate change. The Mammoth plant is not just larger but more advanced than Climeworks’ earlier project, Orca, making it a milestone in carbon dioxide removal technology.
What is Direct Air Capture and Storage (DAC+S)?
Direct Air Capture and Storage (DAC+S) refers to a technology that extracts carbon dioxide (CO2) directly from the air. Unlike conventional carbon capture techniques, which focus on removing CO2 from industrial emissions, DAC+S works by capturing CO2 from the atmosphere, regardless of the source. This makes DAC+S an important tool for addressing the global issue of rising CO2 levels and fighting climate change.
Key Features of DAC+S Technology:
- CO2 Removal: The main purpose of DAC+S is to pull excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
- Permanent Storage: The captured CO2 can be stored deep underground in geological formations, where it remains permanently.
- Versatility: CO2 can also be used for various industrial applications, including in the production of synthetic fuels or chemicals.
The Mammoth Plant: A Major Step Forward
Climeworks’ Mammoth plant represents a significant leap in the capacity of DAC+S technology. This plant is designed to capture a large amount of CO2 from the air and store it underground. Its size and capability surpass the previous Climeworks plant, Orca, which was also located in Iceland and became operational in 2021.
Key Features of the Mammoth DAC+S Plant:
- Large Scale: The Mammoth plant is the largest of its kind, capturing hundreds of thousands of tons of CO2 each year.
- Location: Situated in Iceland, the plant benefits from the country’s abundant renewable energy resources, especially geothermal energy, which supports the energy needs of the plant.
- Environmental Impact: By capturing CO2 directly from the atmosphere, the Mammoth plant is part of global efforts to mitigate climate change and reduce atmospheric CO2 concentrations.
Why Is DAC+S Important?
The significance of DAC+S technology lies in its potential to help achieve global climate goals. As the world works towards reducing emissions and limiting global warming, DAC+S offers a solution for removing CO2 from the air, even after it has been emitted. This makes it a critical tool in the transition to a more sustainable future.
By scaling up the size and effectiveness of DAC+S technology, plants like Mammoth provide hope for reversing some of the damage caused by centuries of industrial emissions. As more plants like Mammoth come online, we may be able to more effectively tackle the climate crisis.
Important Points:
Mammoth Plant Overview:
- The world’s largest DAC+S (Direct Air Capture and Storage) plant, called Mammoth, has begun operations in Iceland.
- Created by Swiss company Climeworks, it surpasses the earlier Orca plant in size and capability.
What is DAC+S?:
- Direct Air Capture and Storage (DAC+S) technology removes CO2 directly from the atmosphere.
- Unlike traditional carbon capture methods (focused on industrial emissions), DAC+S captures CO2 regardless of its source.
- The captured CO2 is stored underground or used in industrial applications.
Key Features of DAC+S Technology:
- CO2 Removal: Pulls excess CO2 from the atmosphere to reduce global CO2 levels.
- Permanent Storage: CO2 is stored deep underground in geological formations, where it stays permanently.
- Versatility: Captured CO2 can be used in producing synthetic fuels, chemicals, and other industrial applications.
Mammoth Plant’s Features:
- Large Scale: The largest DAC+S plant, capturing hundreds of thousands of tons of CO2 annually.
- Renewable Energy: Located in Iceland, it uses geothermal energy to power the facility.
- Environmental Impact: Contributes to global efforts to reduce CO2 levels and fight climate change.
Why DAC+S is Important:
- Global Climate Goals: DAC+S technology helps remove CO2 from the atmosphere, supporting the goal of reducing global warming.
- Sustainable Future: Plays a critical role in the transition to a carbon-neutral future.
- Reversing Industrial Damage: Plants like Mammoth are essential in addressing the climate crisis caused by past industrial emissions.
Why In News
The world’s largest Direct Air Capture and Storage (DAC+S) plant, Mammoth, has commenced operations in Iceland. This groundbreaking facility is a significant milestone in the global effort to reduce atmospheric CO2 levels and combat climate change.
MCQs about Mammoth DAC+S Plant Begins Operations in Iceland
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What is the primary purpose of the Mammoth DAC+S plant in Iceland?
A. To produce renewable energy
B. To capture and store CO2 from the atmosphere
C. To create synthetic fuels
D. To generate geothermal power
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How does Direct Air Capture and Storage (DAC+S) technology differ from traditional carbon capture methods?
A. DAC+S captures CO2 directly from industrial emissions
B. DAC+S captures CO2 directly from the atmosphere, regardless of the source
C. DAC+S uses CO2 to generate energy
D. DAC+S focuses on reducing carbon emissions from agriculture
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Which renewable energy source powers the Mammoth DAC+S plant?
A. Wind energy
B. Solar power
C. Geothermal energy
D. Hydroelectric power
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What is one potential use for the captured CO2 from a DAC+S plant?
A. To create artificial weather patterns
B. To produce synthetic fuels or chemicals
C. To reduce ocean acidification
D. To store energy for future use
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