Why carbon capture for onsite power?
Innovative low-carbon energy solutions that integrate onsite power generation with distributed carbon capture technology offer unprecedented opportunities for data centers and manufacturing facilities to achieve energy independence, or reduce the wait for interconnection while dramatically reducing their carbon footprint. This integrated approach combines the reliability of fuel cells and advanced engines with cutting-edge carbon capture systems to deliver sustainable, cost-effective power solutions.
Technology Overview
Distributed Carbon CaptureCarbonQuest DCCS™ are specifically designed to integrate with fuel cells and engines to minimize the environmental impact of those power units while delivering continuous, reliable onsite power. Modular, containerized systems can be retrofitted to existing power generation installations or integrated into new facilities for comprehensive carbon management.
Key Features:
- Direct power source CO₂ capture
- Modular, containerized system design
- Retrofit compatibility
- New installation integration
- Comprehensive carbon management
CarbonQuest Carbon Capture + Fuel Cell Technology
High-efficiency fuel cells provide clean, reliable power generation with near-zero NOx and SOx emissions. They meet continuous power requirements with response capabilities and reliability for mission-critical applications. Adding CarbonQuest carbon capture systems decarbonizes the fuel cell without affecting its reliability, response times, and continuous power delivery.
Just like fuel cells, the CarbonQuest solution is modular, containerized, stackable, and can be installed indoors or outdoors. The modularity of the solution offers a very flexible building block that can deliver very high resiliency and allow customers to “pay as you grow” their infrastructure.
Adding CarbonQuest’s Distributed Carbon Capture™ can reduce the $/kwh cost of fuel cells. Such cost reduction is possible when the value of CO2 can be monetized and serves as a value-add to the project.
The pictured distributed carbon capture system (8’ x 20’ containers) is supporting a 1.6 MW fuel cell. The system includes a 5 ton storage tank, which holds the liquified CO2.
CarbonQuest Carbon Capture + Combined Heat & Power
CHP amounts to 13% of annual electricity consumption in the US
Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems consist of engines or turbines, and deliver exceptional energy efficiency by simultaneously generating electricity and capturing waste heat for heating, cooling, or industrial processes, achieving overall efficiencies of 80% or higher compared to 50% for separate systems. This dual-purpose approach dramatically reduces energy costs, lowers carbon emissions by up to 40%, and provides greater energy independence and grid resilience for businesses. With proven payback periods of 3-7 years and the ability to operate during power outages, CHP systems offer a smart, sustainable solution that transforms energy expenses into competitive advantages while supporting environmental goals.
However, they still run on natural gas. To comply with regulatory emissions standards or to meet ESG goals, CarbonQuest DCCS™ is specifically designed to work with many different engines currently on the market.
The pictured distributed carbon capture system is connected to a 7MW CHP in an industrial setting. The three vertical storage tanks are 40 tons each, and hold the liquified CO2. CarbonQuest’s trucks are able to pick up the CO2 to transport to various end-users.
End-to-End CO2 Lifecycle Management
CarbonQuest offers a turnkey solution, from design to installation, ensuring seamless integration of our carbon capture system with onsite power generation. Once emissions are captured, we handle the entire CO2 lifecycle, working with utilization and sequestration partners to find the best management options.
Key Benefits of Low Carbon Onsite Power
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- Reduced Carbon Footprint
- Energy Independence
- Cost Optimization
- High Reliability
- Scalable Solutions
- ESG Compliance
Reduced Carbon Footprint
Up to 90% reduction in net CO₂ emissions compared to traditional grid power, enabling organizations to meet aggressive sustainability targets while maintaining operational excellence.
Energy Independence
Onsite generation reduces grid dependency and provides energy security, protecting against power outages, price volatility, and grid instability while ensuring continuous operations.
Cost Optimization
Predictable energy costs and potential revenue from carbon credits create favorable economic conditions, with long-term cost stability and additional revenue streams from environmental credits and sales to carbon off-takers.
High Reliability
99.9%+ uptime with redundant systems and backup capabilities ensure mission-critical operations continue without interruption, supported by comprehensive maintenance and monitoring programs.
Scalable Solutions
Modular design allows for easy capacity expansion as needs grow, providing flexibility to accommodate changing power requirements without major infrastructure overhauls.
ESG Compliance
Meet sustainability goals and regulatory requirements while demonstrating corporate environmental responsibility and supporting stakeholder expectations for sustainable operations.
Target Applications
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- Data Centers
- Industrial Manufacturing
- Critical Infrastructure / Healthcare Facilities
Data Centers
Hyperscale and colocation facilities requiring 24/7 reliable power with stringent uptime requirements benefit significantly from integrated power and carbon capture solutions. These systems provide clean baseload power with instant backup capabilities, supporting the most demanding computational workloads.
Specific Applications:
- Edge computing facilities requiring distributed power solutions
- Cloud service providers with sustainability commitments
- Enterprise data centers with high availability requirements
- Colocation facilities serving multiple tenants
Benefits for Data Centers:
- Uninterrupted power supply for critical IT infrastructure
- Reduced cooling requirements through efficient power generation
- Enhanced power quality and stability
- Compliance with renewable energy procurement goals
Industrial Manufacturing
Industrial facilities with high energy demands and sustainability commitments require integrated power and carbon capture solutions to reduce operational emissions while ensuring reliable production. These systems support energy-intensive manufacturing processes while achieving environmental objectives.
Specific Applications:
- Any manufacturer dependent on CHP, engines or fuel cells, or in need of onsite power
- Utility infrastructure like compressor stations and wastewater facilities
- Food and beverage manufacturing with quality assurance demands
Benefits for Manufacturing:
- Stable power supply for sensitive manufacturing processes
- Reduced operational carbon footprint
- Enhanced energy cost predictability
- Support for sustainable supply chain initiatives
Critical Infrastructure / Healthcare Facilities
Mission-critical applications requiring uninterrupted power supply with environmental responsibility benefit from systems that provide the reliability needed while achieving carbon-negative operations.
CarbonQuest DCCS is well-suited to support critical infrastructure. CarbonQuest’s solution can be used as part of cogeneration or backup power systems and integrated with the rest of the microgrid components to decarbonize fossil fuel components in a cost-effective manner.
Specific Applications:
- Hospitals and healthcare facilities with life-safety systems
- Government facilities with security and continuity needs
- Energy and utility infrastructure with critical applications
Benefits for Critical Infrastructure:
- Ultimate reliability for life-safety applications
- No trade-off between resilience and emissions control
- Integration with renewable, battery and other microgrid components
Technical Specifications
Power Generation Capacity
Range: 1-100 MW modular configurations
- Scalable from small installations to large industrial complexes
- Modular design enables phased implementation
- Redundant systems ensure continuous operation
System Availability
Reliability: 99.9%+ system availability
- Redundant component design
- Predictive maintenance programs
- 24/7 monitoring and support
Operational Profile
Capability: 24/7 continuous operation
- Baseload power generation
- Peak demand response
- Grid independence capability
System Lifecycle
Durability: 15-20 year design life
- Long-term investment value
- Proven component reliability
- Comprehensive warranty programs