Innovation and Demonstration Center for CO2 from DAC

Added on 24 January 2024

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Innovation and Demonstration Center for CO2 from DAC

Photo: WUR

CO2 is an essential component of the atmosphere for plant growth. In most greenhouses, additional CO2 is dosed to enhance plant growth and productivity. Currently, this additional CO2 mainly comes from sources with a fossil origin. However, it is also possible to extract and concentrate CO2 from the air. The Business Unit Greenhouse Horticulture and Flower Bulbs of Wageningen University & Research, commissioned by Kas als Energiebron, will be researching the quality and feasibility of such 'Direct Air Capture' machines in the coming years.

For CO₂ in greenhouses, growers currently have several options. A commonly used method is utilising CO₂ released during the combustion of natural gas in a combined heat and power plant (CHP). These installations not only produce heat and electricity but also generate CO₂ that can benefit plant growth.

Additionally, growers have the option to obtain CO₂ through the OCAP pipeline network. This network transports CO₂ directly from companies that emit it as a byproduct to the greenhouses. This is an efficient way to reuse industrial emissions for agricultural purposes. A third, often more expensive option, is the use of liquid CO₂, delivered in tanks by trucks. However, with the shift to sustainable energy sources and plans to store CO₂ under the North Sea, the availability of CO₂ for horticulture may decrease in the future.