Microsoft climate fund backs sustainable jet fuel company Dimensional Energy

Microsoft’s Climate Innovation Fund, which aims to invest $1 billion over the next four years in technologies that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, has announced its latest investment in Dimensional Energy, a company that produces sustainable jet fuel from sunlight, water and carbon dioxide.

Dimensional Energy uses a process called solar thermochemical conversion, which involves concentrating sunlight into a reactor containing a catalyst and CO2. The catalyst splits the CO2 molecules into carbon monoxide and oxygen, and then combines the carbon monoxide with hydrogen to form synthesis gas, a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The synthesis gas can then be converted into various fuels, such as jet fuel, diesel or gasoline.

The company claims that its process is more efficient and scalable than other synthetic fuel production methods, such as electrochemical conversion or biological conversion. It also says its fuel is compatible with existing infrastructure and jet engines and can reduce the carbon footprint of aviation by up to 80%.

Microsoft did not disclose the amount of its investment, but said it will support Dimensional Energy’s efforts to commercialize its technology and increase its production capacity. Microsoft also said it will explore opportunities to use Dimensional Energy’s fuel for its own operations, such as powering its data centers or flights.

The Microsoft Climate Innovation Fund was launched in January 2020 as part of the company’s broader commitment to become carbon negative by 2030 and eliminate all of its historical emissions by 2050. The fund has previously invested in companies such as CarbonCure Technologies, which captures CO2 from industrial sources. and injects it into concrete, and Climeworks, which captures CO2 from the air and stores it underground or uses it for various applications.

How to fly green: a new way to produce sustainable jet fuel

If you are concerned about the environmental impact of flying, you are not alone. Many travelers and businesses are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint and support the transition to a low-carbon economy. One of the most promising solutions is sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from air travel.

But what is SAF and how is it manufactured? PBS is a type of fuel that can be used in jet engines without modification. It is derived from renewable sources, such as biomass, waste or carbon dioxide captured from the air or from industrial processes. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), PBS can reduce aviation lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel.

However, PBS is not yet widely available or affordable for most airlines and travelers. Current global production capacity for UFAS is only about 0.1% of total jet fuel demand, and the cost of UFAS is two to four times that of fossil jet fuel, according to IATA.

That’s why an innovative new technology from Dimensional Energy, a company based in Ithaca, New York, is so exciting. Dimensional Energy has developed a novel way to produce PBS from carbon dioxide and water emissions, using only sunlight as an energy source. The company claims that its process can produce PBS at a lower cost and with greater environmental benefit than other methods.

Dimensional Energy’s technology is based on artificial photosynthesis, which mimics the natural process of plants converting light, water and carbon dioxide into organic molecules. The company uses a specially designed reactor containing nanostructured catalysts that can split water and carbon dioxide into hydrogen and carbon monoxide, respectively. These two gases are then combined to form synthesis gas, a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide that can be converted into various fuels and chemicals.

The key advantage of Dimensional Energy’s technology is that it does not require external electricity or heat to run the reactions. Instead, it relies on concentrated sunlight that is focused by mirrors onto the reactor. This makes the process more efficient, scalable and sustainable than other methods that use fossil fuels or grid electricity to drive the reactions.

Dimensional Energy has been testing its technology at a pilot plant in New Mexico since 2019, in collaboration with NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy. The company says it has successfully demonstrated production of SAF that meets ASTM standards for jet fuel quality.

To expand its production and commercialize its technology, Dimensional Energy announced today that it has closed $20 million in a Series A financing round led by Envisioning Partners, with participation from several strategic investors, including United Airlines’ Sustainable Flight Fund, Microsoft’s Climate Innovation Fund, RockCreek’s Smart Aviation Futures Fund, DSC Investment, Delegate US, New York Ventures and existing investors such as Elemental Excelerator and Chloe Capital. Envisioning Partners, RockCreek’s smart aviation futures fund, DSC Investment, Delek US, New York Ventures and existing investors such as Elemental Excelerator and Chloe Capital.

The company plans to use the new funds to build a demonstration plant that can produce up to 1 million gallons of PBS per year by 2023. The company also aims to establish partnerships with airlines, airports, fuel distributors and carbon capture companies to create a supply chain for its PBS.

Jason Salfi, CEO of Dimensional Energy, said in a press release, «We are delighted to have such a strong group of investors who share our vision of creating a new paradigm for sustainable aviation. Our technology has the potential to transform the aviation industry by providing a low «An economical, low-carbon alternative to fossil-based jet fuel. We look forward to working with our partners to make flying green a reality.»

If you are interested in learning more about Dimensional Energy and their innovative technology, you can visit their website at https://dimensionalenergy.net/ or follow them on Twitter at @dimensionalener.