Closing the Carbon Cycle for Sustainability - A Key Strategy for Environmental Protection, Energy Security, and Economic Development - Peter Eisenberger (October 15, 2012 @ Oxford University)

1. Closing the Carbon Cycle for Sustainability
A Key Strategy for Environmental Protection, Energy
Security, and Economic Development
Peter Eisenberger
Columbia University & Global Thermostat
OXFORD University
October 15 2012

2. Table of Contents
• Closing the Carbon Cycle
• Current Approaches
• A Sustainable Solution: Energy from
Atmospheric CO2
• Global Thermostat Technology
Global Thermostat - CONFIDENTIAL 2

3. THE CHALLENGES WE FACE
• MEETING BASIC NEEDS+ OF 9 BILLION PEOPLE
– ENERGY SECURITY
• LOCALLY PRODUCED GLOBALLY AVAILABLE
• 5-10X SUPPLY
• SUSTAINABLE
– ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
• OVERCOME DEVELOPED/DEVELOPING COUNTRY DIVIDE
• ELIMINATE POVERTY
– CLIMATE CHANGE PROTECTION
• CLOSE THE CARBON CYCLE
• FLEXIBILITY TO ADJUST ATMOSPHERIC CONCENTRATION
CLOSING THE CARBON CYCLE IS NEEDED
AND
CO2 FROM AIR IS PART OF IT

4. Global Thermostat - CONFIDENTIAL 4

5. OBSERVATIONS
• CARBON CYCLE NOT CLOSED
– OCEAN SEQUESTERING CO2- ABOUT 1%
– CHANGES SIGN WITH TIME
• ESSENTIAL TO HAVE LONG TERM STABILITY
• HUMAN CONTRIBUTION
– ONLY 3% OF CO2 FLUX
– UNIDIRECTIONAL
• NO LONG TERM STABILITY
• PHOTOSYNTHESIS 1-3 % EFFICIENT SOLAR ENERGY
– FITNESS - RESILIENCE NOT EFFICIENCY
• HUMAN DESIGNED SOLAR
– MORE EFFICIENT AND MORE RESILIENT – COST

6. Current Approaches to Manage Our Carbon
“Wedges” approach a good start…
– Sensible, diversified strategy based on existing pathways
– Portfolio of renewable energy and efficiency technologies
– Potential to keep CO2 below 500ppm (still 2x pre-indust.
level)
But may not be enough to avoid climate change…
– Depends on continued net natural absorption rate
– Does not address 2000’s already elevated emissions
– Underestimates projected growth rate by factor of two
– No solution past 2055
Climate will change destructively on its own
– Earth history has many climate disasters
– New York City under a 1 mile high ice sheet
A safe, effective, and affordable solution to climate change is still urgently needed
Global Thermostat - CONFIDENTIAL 6

7. Emissions Scenarios…
Global Thermostat - CONFIDENTIAL 7

8. Future Atmospheric Concentrations…
Global Thermostat - CONFIDENTIAL 8

9. What Carbon Negative Can Achieve…
Global Thermostat - CONFIDENTIAL 9

10. The Cost of Atmospheric CO2…
Global Thermostat - CONFIDENTIAL 10

11. The Need for Going Carbon Negative…
Carbon Neutral is not enough
Business as usual
– Neutralizing new and existing
emissions does not prevent
atmospheric concentration of CO2
from further increasing
– It doesn’t solve the climate risk
problem (reducing atmospheric
concentrations below 500 ppm) 7 Wedges (aggressive
renewable energy
Carbon-Negative Required use, efficiency, point-
source sequestration)
– To reduce atmospheric
concentrations faster than the Negative Carbon
natural absorption rate Technology (such
as Global
– To achieve a safe level of CO2 Thermostat) with
aggressive
concentration renewable energy
Air Capture Can Make Going
Carbon Negative Possible Pacala and Socolow, Science, Vol 305, 8/13/2004, Pg 969.
Note: 7 Wedges refers to the seven stabilization
wedges, created by Wigley, Richels & Edmonds, necessary
to achieve an atmospheric concentration of CO2 of 500 ppm
by 2125.
Global Thermostat - CONFIDENTIAL 11

12. A Sustainable Solution
Close the carbon cycle –CO2 from air to make the
energy we need-
ENERGY SECURITY FOR ALL
̶ CO2 FROM AIR AND HYDROGEN FROM WATER
̶ PRODUCTION AND CONVERSION TO FUEL POWERED BY THE SUN
̶ INPUTS MORE EQUABLY DISTRIBUTED-
CONTROL HUMAN CO2 INPUT TO CARBON CYCLE
̶ TEMPERATURE CONTROL
̶ VARY STORAGE AND RECYCLE
GREEN ENERGY FUND STIMULATES ECONOMIC GROWTH
̶ STIMULATES TRANSITION TO CLOSING THE CARBON CYCLE
̶ MONETIZE THE CO2 SO IT IS A VALUABLE AND NOT A POLLUTANT
Global Thermostat - CONFIDENTIAL 12

13. OUR CARBON BASED SPECIES
CAN CLOSE THE CARBON CYCLE
• A BI-DIRECTIONAL CARBON BASED ENERGY PROCESS
– ENERGY SOURCE
• INPUT CO2 FROM THE AIR AND HYDROGEN FROM WATER
• PRODUCED USING SOLAR ENERGY
• RELEASING CO2 AND WATER WHEN COMBUSTED
• TWO PROCESSES
– BIOMEMETIC/ ALGAE + SOLAR+ CO2 FROM AIR
– INDUSTRIAL/ ELECTROLSIS +SOLAR + CO2 FROM AIR

14. Renewable 95: Closing the Carbon Cycle
CONVERTING CO2 FROM AIR &
HYDROGEN FROM WATER
TO
95 OCTANE GASOLINE
Water Vapor and CO2
CO2 Capture
&
Hydrogen Conversion
95
Octane
Global Thermostat - CONFIDENTIAL 14

15. GT Project with Algae Systems
GT is developing a fully-integrated biorefinery
through a partnership with Algae Systems
• Produces carbon negative transportation fuels (diesel, jet, etc)
• Treats municipal wastewater and produces drinking water
• Generates green electricity and biochar fertilizers
CO2
Fuels,
Algae Fuel
Solar Dewatering Electricity &
Production Production
Energy Biochar
Waste
water Treated Drinking
Desalination
Wastewater Water
This unique combination of technologies provides critical municipal
services while producing energy in an embodiment that is
As Green As It Gets
Global Thermostat - CONFIDENTIAL 15

16. CO2 FROM AIR
ELECTROLYSIS :HYDROGEN FROM WATER
The Production of Methanol
is a Proven Technology
+ co2+3H23H2
COCCCO2CO2
• CO2+3H2 TO CH3OH +H20
– The above reaction is exothermic, DH298=-49.47 kJ/mol
•
– This reaction is faster than conventional methanol
processes that use synthesis gas (CO + H2)

17. CO2 and Methanol to Gasoline Process Chemistry Has Been
Commercially Proven with Favorable Energy Characteristics
3H2O 3H2 + 3/2O2
CO2 + 3H2 CH3OH + H2O
CH3OH n-CH2- + H2O
_______________________________
3H2O + CO2 n-CH2- + 3/2O2 + 2H2O
overall reaction
H373 K= 40.79kJ/mol heat of vaporization of water at 100 C
Hreaction = -49.47kJ/mol heat of reaction to form methanol
Hreaction = -48.32kJ/mol heat of reaction for methanol to gasoline

18. MAKE GEOTHERMAL ELECTRICITY FROM CO2 FROM AIR
• Extracts heat 50% faster than with water-
based geothermal
• Does not require pumps or pumping
• Can generate power with conventional
technology (e.g., turbines)
• Can store energy
– Ideal for energy storage (e.g., less than
2-minute response time)
– No separate storage technology
required
• Provides grid management capability
– Baseload, firming or peaking power
– “Firms up” wind or solar power
• Produces carbon-negative power

19. Geothermal Electricity + CO2
Collaboration with Green Fire Energy
– Uses CO2 instead of water
– 20-50% of circulating CO2 sequestered
Using CO2 captured by Global Thermostat
– Location flexibility of air capture
– Economic advantage of locating near use
– Increased geothermal locations accessible
Produces Carbon Negative electricity
Global Thermostat - CONFIDENTIAL Page 19

20. TECHNOLOGY CHARACTERISTICS
• POWERED BY SUN
– ESSENTAILLY UNLIMITED SOURCE
• LIQUID FUEL PRODUCT STORES ENERGY
– ADDRESSES INTERMITTENCY OF SOLAR ENERGY
• LOCALLY PRODUCED GLOBALLY
– ENERGY SECURITY FOR ALL
• DROP IN TECHNOLOGY
– MINIMIZES INFRASTRUCTURE COSTS
• ENERGY EFFCIENT AND RESILIENT
– “COST” IS THE ISSUE

21. “COST” OF ENERGY
• “COST” = PRIVATE COST+ EXTERNAL COST=SOCIAL COST
– PRIVATE COST=WHAT YOU PAY AT THE PUMP OR FOR ELECTRICITY
– EXTERNAL COST ARE THOSE NOT REFLECTED IN MARKET
• SUBSIDIES
• HEALTH LIABILITIES
• ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGES/CLIMATE CHANGE
• ENERGY/ OIL-RELATED DEFENSE EXPENDITURE
• NEGATIVE ECONOMIC IMPACT
• “COST”FOR CLOSING THE CARBON CYCLE=SOCIAL COST
– NEEDS TO BE FULL LIFE CYCLE COSTS
– NEEDS TO ACOUNT FOR EXTERNALITIES
– NEEDS TO BE FROM A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
– NEEDS TO BE EQUITABLE DISRIBUTED

22. THE SOCIAL COST IS MUCH GREATER
THAN THE PRIVATE COSTS
• MIT Center for Energy and Environmental Policy
Research
“The true social cost is almost three times the
amount that appears on our utility bills.”
• International Centre for Technology Assessment.
” Such external costs push the true price of
gasoline as high as $15.14 a gallon”

23. COST OF THE TECHNOLOGY
TO CLOSE THE CARBON CYCLE
• COST OF CO2 FROM THE AIR/GALLON(10KG)
– .01X COST/TONNE ( UNCOMPRESSED)
• $1.00. FOR $100/TONNE CO2
• $.50 FOR $50/TONNE
• COST OF HYDROGEN BY ELECTROLYSIS/GALLON(1KG)
– CE/KWHR X50KWHR/KG +CAPEX
• $4.00 FOR 7CTS/KWHR
• $1.50 FOR 2CTS/KWHR
• COVERSION TO FUEL AND DELIVERY VIA EXISITING PROCESSES
– $1.50 /GALLON
• TOTAL COST TODAY!!
– $3.50 – $6.50/GALLON
• HYDROGEN AND FUEL VIA ALGAE-CAN IT BE LOWER COST
– SUN SEPARATES HYDROGEN AND COMBINES IT WITH CO2 TO PRODUCE HYDROCARBONS
– CAPEX FOR ALGAE GROWTH
– CONVERSION INTO FUEL
• ELECTROYLSIS ECONOMICALLY VIABLE AT 2CTS KWHR OF ENERGY WITH TODAYS SYSTEM
– STRANDED ELECTRICITY TODAY
– NO NEED FOR NEW INFRASTRUCTURE-LOW BARRIER TO ENTRY

24. THE SOLUTION
YES THERE IS A SILVER BULLET
• WE KNOW HOW TO GET HYDROGEN FROM WATER
• WE KNOW HOW TO GET CO2 FROM THE AIR
• WE HAVE AN ACCEPTABLE SOLAR EFFCIENCY
– 5X NATURE -10X ACHIEVABLE
• THE CLOSING THE CARBON CYCLE “COST”
– “COST” =COST OF TECHNOLGY – AVOIDED EXTERNAL COSTS OF TODAYS APPOACH
+ NEW EXTERNAL COSTS
– NEW EXTERNAL COSTS VERY LOW
• NO POLLUTION –FUEL IS CLEAN
• NO COSTS FROM POOR DISTRIBUTION OF INPUTS
• NO COSTS FROM CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS
• CAN COST $6.50/GAL AND STILL BE ECONOMIC
– PROVIDE $3.00/GAL REBATE TO CONSUMERS (
– LESS “COST” THEN FOSSIL ENERGY “SOCIAL COSTS” OF 10.00/GAL

25. CLOSING THE CARBON CYCLE
FOR ENERGY, ECONOMIC, AND CLIMATE SUSTAINABILITY 25

26. How GT Technology Works
“GT CARBON SPONGE”
Patented Carbon Sponge: porous block
coated with proprietary amine sorbents
Ambient air and/or flue gas goes through
and binds to sorbent
Carbon Sponge lowers into sealed
chamber
Low temperature process heat releases
pure CO2 gas for collection
Pipes to algae, etc.
And the cycle restarts…
Global Thermostat - CONFIDENTIAL 26

27. Technology Operation
Ambient air
OR Monolith Step 1
Air-flue gas blend
Contactors + Air Input
Sorbent
GT Module “Cartridge”
• GT uses Corning
Adsorption monolith contactors
Phase similar to those in your
cars tailpipe
• Contactors provide
high surface contact
areas at low
Regeneration pressure drop
Phase • Enables movement of
large volumes of air
with effective contact
of CO2 at low cost
• 40 minute cycle
Global Thermostat - CONFIDENTIAL 27

28. Technology Operation
Ambient air
OR
Monolith Step 2
Air-flue gas blend Contactors + CO2 Capture
Sorbent
GT Module
“Cartridge”
• GT sorbents proven
Adsorption highly effective by
Phase Georgia Tech -
confirmed by SRI,
BASF, and NETL
• BASF process to
deposit immobilized
Regeneration
amines in pores of the
Phase
contactor walls at high
loading
• Dramatically reduces
heat required
compared to liquid
Global Thermostat - CONFIDENTIAL
based CCS 28

29. Technology Operation
Monolith Step 3
Contactors + Regeneration
Sorbent
GT Module
“Cartridge”
• CO2-rich sorbent is
Adsorption heated with low-
Phase temperature process
heat (90-105C) steam
• CO2 is collected and
sorbent is regenerated
Regeneration • CO2 can be stored or
Phase used in multiple
commercial
applications
• 4 - 10 minute cycle
105C Steam CO2 Collection
Global Thermostat - CONFIDENTIAL 29

30. CO2 Adsorption Breakthrough Curves
Effect of loading & production validation
Global Thermostat Confidential 30

31. Monolith Durability Test
• Stability Run – 400, 30
minute adsorptions
35 700
followed by four minutes y = 0.0001x + 26.457
R2 = 0.0002
of CO2 removal by 30 600
steam stripping CO2 Captured
25 500
• Equation in the upper
ppm CO2 in Air, Temperature (K)
CO2 Captured (g/cycle)
right fits the CO2 20
CO2 in Air
400
working capacity data:
CO2 removed each 15
Temperature
300
cycle-x is the number of
the run 10 200
• The small and positive
5 100
coefficient means the
results are essentially 0 0
unchanged, e.g., stable 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400
Cycle #
performance
Global Thermostat Company Confidential Page 31

32. Technology Partners
Partner Activity Relationship Terms
SRI International Pilot plant operation and R&D; lab testing Contract R&D
BASF Sorbent development/supply; lab testing Strategic Supplier
Corning Monolith development/supply Strategic Supplier
Linde Carburetor Pilot/EPC Contractor/Customer EPC Contractor/Customer
Georgia Tech Sorbent R&D; contactor testing Contract R&D
Virgin Atlantic Renewable jet fuel Commercialization partner, customer
Carmagen
System design, engineering, optimization Contract consulting
Engineering
Summit Power Project engineering Project development fee
Global Thermostat - CONFIDENTIAL 32

33. Third Party Reports
Detailed Third party reports completed by:
• Den Norsk Veritas (Global risk and technology assessment firm)
• Linde (Leading world supplier of industrial gases and engineering services)
Reports validate technology and aggressive cost curve advancements.
Third-party reports from Linde & Veritas confirm technology and cost trajectory
Global Thermostat Company Confidential Page 33

34. Closing the Carbon Cycle is Key
For Sustainable Carbon-Based Life: Close the Carbon Cycle…
Need Direct Air Capture
̶ Carbon for a sustainable renewable energy future
̶ Flexibility to provide sources and sinks
Need Negative Carbon
̶ Climate Security
Need a Carbon Market/Green Energy Fund
̶ Global Economic Sustainability
Global Thermostat - CONFIDENTIAL Page 34

35. The Global Thermostat
Carbon dioxide
concentration
decreasing
ENERGY
Atmosphere
800