The Carbon Comeback?

Is carbon capture a multi-billion dollar pipe dream? After 50 years and $60 billion in spending, many experts say 'yes.' High costs and massive energy drains have pushed many CCS companies to shutter their doors. But today PlanetWEST, a California-based startup, says the problem isn't the idea—it's the chemistry.

For decades, we’ve tried to catch CO2 gas. It’s expensive, heavy, and requires massive fans that eat up more power than they save. But PlanetWest is pivoting to Solid Carbon Capture.

70% of our emissions come from cities. Specifically, Black Carbon—the soot we breathe every day. PlanetWest’s new MIDAC-G2 is a device that clips onto the front of your car’s radiator.

As you drive, air passes through the MIDAC. It filters out solid carbon microparticles, storing them in a small canister. When you hit the gas station, you don't just fill up; you also pump out captured carbon at the same time. At an estimated $30 per ton, it’s a fraction of the cost of those massive government-funded plants.

While the world waits for a total green energy transition, this 'micro' approach might be the macro solution we've been looking for. PlanetWest claims the unit is easy to install and could be the fastest way to scrub our city air and reduce global warming in a generation.